NCJ Number
79268
Date Published
1980
Length
70 pages
Annotation
Intended for young readers, this book is an introduction to the American legal system through the experiences of two school children whose crimes deliver them into the hands of juvenile authorities.
Abstract
The introductory scene shows how a casual prank can turn into a nightmare of serious consequences. The point made immediately is the seriousness of breaking the law and the inevitability of the subsequent process. The two young people arrested, one for shoplifting and the other for property crimes, are shown being processed through the juvenile justice system. Entwined with their stories is a discussion of all the essential concepts of the justice system, beginning with the history of law; the unique features of American federalism; the difference between juvenile and adult criminal processing; the roles of judges, juries, and attorneys in court procedure; the structure of the Federal and State court systems; the rationale for punishment to fit the crime; and the function of civil proceedings. Although the shoplifter's juvenile court hearing ends in dismissed charges because it was a first offense, the other juvenile cases are described to demonstrate more serious juvenile involvement in crime and its dire consequences. The concluding chapter points out the current difficulties the justice system faces in the form of court delays due to huge caseloads and the challenge of providing equal justice for all. A glossary, an index, illustrations, and 14 references are provided.