NCJ Number
192124
Date Published
2001
Length
476 pages
Annotation
The third edition of this text explores and defines the important components of and debates over juvenile justice in the United States.
Abstract
The chapters incorporate the most recent studies and statistical data available at the time of publication. The book is organized to allow students to move quickly into the action of the police, courts, and corrections. Major issues and findings from all of these subsystems of the juvenile justice system are discussed, and new materials are provided on gangs, drugs, guns, and schools. The current status of the juvenile justice system is characterized before reviewing the debates on whether the juvenile justice system should be reformed or abolished, whether "hard" or "soft" policies should prevail, and whether the rights of juveniles should be extended. Consideration is given to what works and what does not. Materials on the profile of juveniles in trouble and the social context from which juveniles come are emphasized, as are the treatments and programs available to them in the community and institutions. A major new feature of this third edition is a chapter on international juvenile justice, based on the 1985 "Beijing Rules." It illustrates how far some countries have come and how far almost all countries have to go in achieving justice for juveniles. Other topics discussed in this text are the historical development of issues in juvenile justice; police discovery and investigation of child sexual abuse; juvenile court procedures, issues, and waiver to adult court; the pitfalls of juvenile institutionalization; research and theory; websites of interest for each chapter; and a vision for the year 2000 and beyond. Chapter summaries, questions, and notes, and name and subject indexes