Juvenile Delinquency

November 14, 2007

Daily Agenda

Review Section 2 Assessment Section 16-3 Juvenile Delinquency Chapter Review on page 380. Reminder of Test Next Week over this

section. Gideon v. Wainwright Miranda v. Arizona

Objectives for Today:

3.07 and 3.08 Continued

Causes of Juvenile Delinquency

Anyone under the age of 18 is considered to be a juvenile.

Young people who commit crimes are known as Juvenile delinquents.– Note that some states charge juveniles as adults

for severe crimes.

So what actually causes delinquency? Children and Teenagers commit many

crimes every year. – Some are Misdemeanors– Some are felonies.

Children who group up in poverty and low-income neighborhoods are more likely to become delinquents.

Delinquency Continued

– Not all children who grow up in these situations become delinquents!

What do you think?

Do you think if a juvenile commits a serious crime such as murder, manslaughter, or maybe a terrorist act that he or she should be tried as an adult? Especially if they are close to 18? Why or Why not?

The Juvenile Justice System

Juvenile Cases are handled in Juvenile Courts.– Their primary goal is to rehabilitate or correct a

person’s behavior rather than punish the person.– Nearly 3/4s of juvenile cases begin when

juveniles are arrested.

Juvenile Justice System Cont.

– The rest are from petitions from:• School Administrators

• Store Managers

• Or others that may file a case.

– Parents who have trouble with their children may also petition the court for help.

• Behavior Problems, Curfew Problems (etc)

A bit of history….

Juvenile Courts have been around since the 1880’s. – You were tried as a juvenile up till the age of

14.– They were sent to the same prisons and

received the same sentences as adults.– Today the guiding principle of juvenile courts

is to do whatever is in the best interest of the young person.

Two Types of Cases: Juvenile Courts handle two types of cases:

– Neglect– Delinquency

Neglect Cases

Neglect Cases deal with juveniles who may be abused at home or have been neglected by an adults

The courts have the power to place a juvenile in a foster home.

Delinquency Cases

Delinquency cases deal with juveniles who commit crimes.– Juvenile Courts also handle cases where it is

illegal for a minor or juvenile to do something at their age but not when they are adults.

• For example: Skipping School, Running from Home or Violating Curfew

Diversion or Detention

When a juvenile is arrested the police notify the parents of the individual.– Depending on the crime the person may be sent

home or sent to a detention center to await their court date.

– Most police departments have officers who specialize and work in juvenile law.

Diversion

If the crime is not that serious usually the delinquent is sent into a program to rehabilitate them back into normal society.– These rehabilitation programs include:

• Counseling

• On the Job Training

• Drug Treatment Programs

Detention

If a delinquent is a violent offender then the judge can decide if he or she is sent to a detention center.

The Trial

The trial phase for juveniles is similar to the adult phase only with a few differences:– During the court appearance, juveniles meet

with their lawyer, parents, arresting officer and probation officer who investigated the case.

– The meeting is less formal than an adult trial and the judge usually makes the decision in the case.

The Trial Continued

The judge holds another hearing for sentencing.– During sentencing the judge may:

• Send the offender home with a lecture

• Send the offender to a training school

• Reinforcement Center

• Teen Shelter

The Trial Phase

Often, delinquents agree to attend school and report to their probation officer.

If the delinquent obeys and completes probation then the charges will be dropped.