NCJ Number
167336
Date Published
1997
Length
5 pages
Annotation
This paper advocates trying more juveniles as adults as a means of increasing public protection against violent juveniles.
Abstract
The juvenile justice system is failing to protect citizens from the surge in violent crimes committed by juveniles. The patchwork of laws is not working. One problem is that the system was designed to help troubled youth who commit minor offenses; however, 75 percent of the current cases in juvenile court involve felonies. What is needed is a system that protects society from violent juvenile offenders, efficiently rehabilitates juveniles who can be saved, and knows how to tell the difference. Core principles of such a system are to remove many violent offenders from the juvenile system, limit juvenile confidentiality, and deliver real rehabilitation. Other principles that would improve the system are to make juveniles and their parents accountable for their behaviors, to intervene early to prevent violence later, and to keep juveniles away from guns. Part II of this paper argues that America's juvenile justice system must emphasize punishment rather than rehabilitation, especially for those juveniles who have committed violent crimes. It contends that all violent juveniles should be tried in adult courts and be subject to adult sentences.