NCJ Number
169857
Date Published
1998
Length
112 pages
Annotation
Following an introductory review of the history of the juvenile justice system in the United States, chapters discuss juvenile crime trends, causes of juvenile crime, the juvenile justice system, punishing juveniles, and preventing juvenile crime.
Abstract
An overview of juvenile crime trends focuses on property crimes, an increase in violent crime, gang behavior, juveniles carrying guns, and violent female offenders. A chapter on the causes of juvenile crime focuses on demographic trends, the arrival of crack cocaine, violence in the media, biological factors, and environmental factors in violent juvenile behavior. This chapter notes that most researchers believe that a combination of factors has led to an increase in violent juvenile crime rates. Often, several contributing factors can be identified in the life of a single juvenile offender. A chapter on the juvenile justice system considers the rationale for having a separate legal system, the workings of the juvenile justice system, various punishment philosophies, the discretionary power of the juvenile court, legislative reform, and the pros and cons of the debate on the effectiveness of the juvenile justice system. A chapter on the punishment of juveniles focuses on diversionary programs, teen court, the effectiveness of teen court punishments, repeat offenders, boot camps, secure facilities, a high recidivism rate, and the punishment of juveniles as adults. Also considered is the use of the death penalty for juveniles; two juvenile death-penalty cases are briefly profiled. An overview of strategies for preventing juvenile crime addresses curfews, the use of school uniforms to eliminate gang clothing and the theft of expensive clothing items, a focus on parental responsibility, cutting off the supply of guns, gun tracking, the control of gangs, and support programs. Head Start and constructive program alternatives are also discussed. A list of organizations to contact, 51 references, 6 suggestions for further reading, and a subject index