Juvenile CrimeCategories of Crime – Legal Studies 3C

A juvenile is defined as a person aged between 10 to 17 years of age

Minimum age of criminal responsibility is 10 years.

Persons aged 15 to 19 years are more likely to be processed by police for the commission of a crime than are members of any other population group.

Risk factors:

Family (broken families, abuse, neglect, social environment)

Education

Economic

Health

Influence of peers

Homelessness

Drug/alcohol addiction

Difference to adult offenders:

Lack of maturity

Propensity to take risks

Susceptible to peer influence

Retributive justice v Restorative justice Retributive justice = focus on punishment of offender and retribution

Juvenile Detention Centre (Tas: Ashley Detention Centre)

Fine, Loss of licence

Restorative justice = focuses on repairing the harm caused by crime and reducing future harm through crime prevention. It requires offenders to take responsibility for their actions and for the harm they have caused. It seeks redress for victims, recompense by offenders and reintegration of both within the community. It requires a co-operative effort by communities and the government.

Youth Justice Act 1997 (deals with young people from 10 to under 18 years)

Magistrates Court programs

Court Mandated Drug Diversion

Diversion list (for mental health issues or impaired intellectual functioning)

Hobart Specialised Youth Justice Court Pilot

Community conferences

Rehabilitation programs (Landcare projects, helping the aged, U-turn program)

Youth Justice Act 1997

The underlying principles of the Act are accountability and restorative justice.

These encourage young people who offend to take responsibility for their actions and to help address the harm done to victims and the community.

The participation of victims, recognition of the role of parents and guardians, and opportunities for diversion and rehabilitation are all strong themes that underpin the philosophy of helping young people in the youth justice system to reach their full potential as citizens.

Activities:

Youth Justice Handout

Department of Health and Human Services handout

Clickview – Kids Doing Time – complete questions