Running head: JUVENILE CRIME PAPER

Juvenile Crime Paper Steven Bouton CJS/200 April 22, 2012 Keith Ininch

JUVENILE CRIME PAPER Juvenile Crime Paper There are many similarities between adult and juvenile court, but there are many differences as well. The same basic process applies between the two, but the main differences are constitutional rights, sentencing options vary, and the terminology used differs in juvenile court than adult court. Juvenile court is most often times aimed at rehabilitating youth rather than punishment. More constitutional rights are awarded for adults than a juvenile in court. Adults have the right to be tried by judge or jury of their peers, but a minor in juvenile court does not have that right with a judge determining if the minor broke the law, and what the punishment should be. Parents or guardian are often times questioned with regard to the juveniles behavior and plays a big factor with the judges ruling. Another right that juveniles do not have is bail. Adults have a

right to request bail to be set in order to leave custody, juveniles have to prove they are not a flight risk or a risk to the community if set free. Bail does not exist in juvenile cases. Sentencing option between juveniles and adults are different. Adults who commit petty crimes and first offences result in probation or possibly jail time with a felony conviction resulting in a prison sentence. Juvenile sentencing is called a disposition order from the judge that has the right to sentence the minor to serve time in a juvenile correction center, counseling, or maybe house arrest. Terminology between juvenile court and adult court is also different. An adult in court is called a defendant with the conclusion being called a verdict. A juvenile in court is called a respondent with the conclusion of court being called the adjudication. Troubled juveniles are often times called juvenile delinquents. The definition of delinquency is juvenile delinquency, failure to do what law of duty requires, an offence or a

JUVENILE CRIME PAPER misdemeanor; a misdeed, a debit or other financial obligation on which payment is overdue (The

Free Dictionary by Farlex, 2012). Juvenile delinquent is a person under 18 years old who is found to have committed a crime in states which have declared by law that a minor lacks responsibility and thus may not be sentenced as an adult (The Free Dictionary by Farlex, 2012). Juvenile delinquency is small crimes adults would not normally be charged for such as drinking, breaking curfew, skipping classes or school, and sexual activities. These are more of a nuisance that parents have to try and correct rather than law enforcement officers. There is however certain things juveniles are prohibited to do that adults can such as carry a firearm that is called status offence. A status offence is a type of crime that is not based upon prohibited action or inaction but rests on the fact that the offender has a certain personal condition or is of a specified character (The Free Dictionary by Farlex, 2012) . In this case, status offences are activities that are offences committed by juveniles because of their age restriction that is not considered a crime by an adult. Status offences are in place to protect minors from hurting themselves because they are in fact children. The variables that correlate with juvenile crime rates can be peer pressure, poverty, idolizing criminals, alcoholism, bullying, depression, trauma, childhood aggression, family function, school performance, and even neighborhood characteristics that precede and can possibly even lead to juvenile delinquency. There are many variables, but research shows only one conclusion, and that is there is no one single cause for delinquency. There is no single set path that will lead a juvenile to crime. To date, however, research has not clearly identified all the causal pathways that lead to delinquency or the factors that cause different individuals to take different paths. There is general agreement among social scientists and policymakers that longitudinal studies are the best way to gain information on the causes of delinquency. This type of

JUVENILE CRIME PAPER investigation involves repeated contacts with the same individuals so that patterns of development can be studied. The strength of the longitudinal design is that it permits researchers to sort out which factors precede changes in offending, to predict such changes, and to do so independent of

other factors. With the aid of repeated measures, it is possible to identify pathways to delinquency, each with unique causal factors that, like delinquency itself, may change with time. Successfully accomplishing this will provide the information needed to develop truly effective intervention programs (OJJDP, 1997). Setting up programs aimed at reducing juvenile crime is an effective way to reduce violence and delinquency. Programs aimed at learning emotional skills that can help control emotions and behavior would be a great program. This can help increase conflicts more peaceably without turning to violence and also help classroom behavior problems. A program set up against bullying by enforcing consequences against bullying and aggression. This could possibly reduce bullying and aggressive behavior by a better understanding and impact of bullying. A program set up to teach youth how to say no to peer pressure. These programs are designed to teach drug myths from facts, use critical thinking, and teach decision-making that can significantly reduce alcohol and tobacco use. With so many possible variables that correlate with juvenile crime rates, and no main issue to focus on, it is hard to prevent these types of behaviors. The most important thing to do then is to be preventative. Programs are great preventative steps in possibly controlling and preventing some juvenile crime, but the main thing everyone should focus on is being there for the youth. Parents play the biggest part in childrens lives and have a great deal of influence. Most children look to their parents as a hero figure when they are developing their unique personality. At that critical stage in their life, it is important to teach children responsibility along with rights and wrongs. A

JUVENILE CRIME PAPER strong family support and prevention programs will be a step in the right direction when it comes to helping.

JUVENILE CRIME PAPER References

OJJDP. (1997). Program of Research on the Causes and Correlates of Delinquency. Retrieved from http://www.ojjdp.gov/jjbulletin/9810_2/program.html The Free Dictionary by Farlex. (2012). Delinquency. Retrieved from http://www.thefreedictionary.com/delinquency The Free Dictionary by Farlex. (2012). Juvenile Delinquent. Retrieved from http://legaldictionary.thefreedictionary.com/juvenile+delinquent The Free Dictionary by Farlex. (2012). Status Offence. Retrieved from http://legaldictionary.thefreedictionary.com/Status+Offense