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Chapter 10: Juvenile Justice

  • Page ID
    328897
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    • 10.1: Youth Crime
      This page discusses the impact of sensationalized media in the 1990s on public fear of youth crime and the subsequent shift from rehabilitation to punitive juvenile justice policies, including transferring juvenile offenders to adult courts. It also highlights Rev. Jeffrey Brown's TED Talk, which advocates for community engagement and listening as a positive approach to addressing youth violence in Boston.
    • 10.2: Juvenile Justice
      This page addresses the misconception of juvenile crime as a rising epidemic driven by sensational media and public anxiety. It critiques the historical approach of treating youth as adults in the justice system and advocates for a model based on neuroscience, highlighting the underdeveloped moral reasoning in adolescents.
    • 10.3: History of the Juvenile Justice System
      This page discusses the concept of parens patriae, which highlights the state's responsibility to protect children, historically seen as royal property. This principle influenced American social reforms, particularly the child-saving movement and reform schools. By the late 19th century, legal cases began restricting state intervention to instances of parental unfitness, leading to the establishment of juvenile courts and a greater emphasis on safeguarding youth.
    • 10.4: Delinquency
      This page discusses the juvenile court's jurisdiction, which applies to individuals aged 7 to 17, marking 7 as the minimum age for accountability. At 18, individuals transition to adult criminal laws, although some states, such as Oregon, extend this jurisdiction to age 25. The system aims to intervene starting at age 7, but most states do not prosecute those under 9.
    • 10.5: Juvenile Justice Process
      This page examines the evolution of gang suppression laws and the juvenile court system following World War II, noting differences in state approaches to youth crime. It highlights historical critiques of juvenile courts for neglecting due process rights, emphasizing initially well-intentioned motivations that resulted in potential power abuses. The discussion advocates for a reassessment of constitutional protections in light of these concerns.
    • 10.6: Due Process in the Juvenile Court
      This page explores significant U.S. Supreme Court cases that have shaped juvenile justice, focusing on evolving legal standards and protections. It underscores the parens patriae philosophy, emphasizing that juvenile law should prevent arbitrary judicial actions. Landmark cases like Kent v. United States, In re Gault, In re Winship, and Breed v. Jones are discussed to highlight the advancement in recognizing juveniles' rights in the legal system.
    • 10.7: The Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act of 1974
      This page discusses the JJDP Act, highlighting its transition of juvenile justice oversight from state to federal involvement. It emphasizes the 1992 reauthorization, which prompted states to assess and improve services for female juvenile delinquents. Additionally, it underscores the federal requirement for states to establish tailored prevention and treatment services for these young women, aiming to eradicate gender bias in their treatment within the juvenile justice system.
    • 10.8: Getting Tough- Initiatives for Punishment and Accountability
      This page examines the evolving views and treatment of juvenile offenders, shaped by the "superpredator" narrative and resulting in stricter punishments, including adult trials for minors. It details waiver mechanisms facilitating these transfers and discusses the "Raise the Age" legislation, aimed at reforming juvenile detention, particularly for youth in facilities like Rikers Island. The implications of these changes on juvenile justice and youth of color are also addressed.
    • 10.9: Returning to Rehabilitation in the Contemporary Juvenile Justice System
      This page explores how empirical research influences juvenile justice reforms by promoting evidence-based practices for evaluating interventions. It highlights key Supreme Court cases that have shaped legal standards on juvenile punishment, underscoring a shift towards rehabilitation due to developmental differences between youth and adults.
    • 10.10: The Structure of the Juvenile Justice System
    • 10.11: Juvenile Institutions
      This page outlines the components of the juvenile justice system, detailing facilities like detention centers and group homes. It discusses factors affecting detention decisions, including prior offenses and demographics, and highlights the concern of disproportionate minority contact. The page also reflects on the evolving views of juvenile justice, emphasizing a balance between rehabilitation and punishment, and acknowledging the potential for youth to change with appropriate interventions.


    This page titled Chapter 10: Juvenile Justice is shared under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Alison S. Burke, David Carter, Brian Fedorek, Tiffany Morey, Lore Rutz-Burri, & Shanell Sanchez (OpenOregon) via source content that was edited to the style and standards of the LibreTexts platform.