NCJ Number
89595
Date Published
1983
Length
121 pages
Annotation
Following an overview of major criticisms of the juvenile justice system, this book considers how children in trouble were dealt with before the creation of the juvenile court, deciding who is a delinquent, types of youth who appear in juvenile court, youth gangs, female delinquents, and juvenile diversion.
Abstract
Criticisms of the juvenile justice system have centered on the seemingly arbitrary use of discretion in dispositions of the varied types of youth who appear before the juvenile court, with chronic and serious offenders often being treated leniently while status offenders are treated unduly severely. Reform efforts have sought to remedy abuses of discretion and law which provide inappropriate sanctions for various juvenile behaviors. Before the establishment of the juvenile justice system, the courts and various citizen groups showed concern about treating juveniles as severely as adults for criminal behavior, but there was also a concern that children be taught a lesson that would deter them from misbehaving. The definition of a juvenile delinquent varies according to time and place as well as age, since State laws respecting the definitions of delinquency vary. Efforts have been made to find appropriate dispositions and interventions for various types of juvenile problem behavior. The violent offender and juvenile gang behavior are particular problems, since they pose serious threats to community safety. Female delinquents tend to be treated differently from male delinquents, with females often being treated more severely because of the more rigid expectations for 'proper' female behavior. Diversion has received a great deal of emphasis in the handling of juveniles because of the desire to avoid stigmatization and to maintain youth under the positive influences of the community instead of the negative influences of institutionalization. The appendixes contain the findings and declaration of purpose of the Juvenile Justice Delinquency Prevention Act of 1974, a list of organizations endorsing the act, a list of resources, and addresses of State planning agencies.