Youth in the juvenile justice system have been found to have high rates of substance use disorders, disruptive disorders (including conduct disorder , attention deficit hyperactivity disorder [ADHD], and oppositional defiant disorder), anxiety disorders (including post-traumatic stress, panic, obsessive-compulsive, and ...
Why is the juvenile justice system unfair?
Moreover, fines and fees imposed on youth create an unfair system of “justice by income,” where children in poverty face an increased risk of incarceration , while more affluent youth receive effective community-based treatment. Justice should not be based on race, where a child lives, or the family’s income.
What are 3 main downfalls to our juvenile justice system in the US?
What are 3 main downfalls to our juvenile justice system in the US? The Problem: These are commonly called “status offenses,” and they include truancy, running away, curfew violations, and underage liquor law violations .
What are the disadvantages of a separate system of justice for juveniles?
The juvenile justice system, like the adult justice system, has its flaws. These include racial disparities in incarceration rates and long wait times for court dates . Although it is not perfect, it does strive to serve the specific needs of young offenders.
How does the juvenile justice system affect youth?
Youth involved with the juvenile justice system often have mental health and/or substance abuse problems . These typically affect their academic performance, behavior, and relationships with peers and adults.
Who has the best juvenile justice system?
Children in Belgium have more access to the justice system than anywhere else in the world, according to the results of a survey by the Child Rights International Network (CRIN).
What are the major trends in the juvenile justice system?
Significant trends have emerged to restore jurisdiction to the juvenile court; divert youth from the system ; shift resources from incarceration to community-based alternatives; pro- vide strong public defense for youth; and respond more effectively to the mental health needs of young offenders.
Why the juvenile justice system is so important?
The primary goals of the juvenile justice system, in addition to maintaining public safety, are skill development , habilitation, rehabilitation, addressing treatment needs, and successful reintegration of youth into the community.
Should we eliminate the special system of juvenile justice?
Since the late 1970s, critics of the juvenile courts have sought to abolish this system, arguing that it has failed in its rehabilitation efforts and in not punishing serious criminal behavior by young people. ... Thus, it may be better to punish a juvenile in the first instance, in order to deter future criminal activity.
How can the juvenile justice system be improved?
During the past two decades, major reform efforts in juvenile justice have focused on reducing the use of detention and secure confinement; improving conditions of confinement; closing large institutions and reinvesting in community-based programs; providing high-quality, evidence- based services for youth in the ...
At what age are juveniles truly capable of understanding the seriousness of their actions?
Cognitive function develops from “concrete” to “abstract” in the middle teen years, usually between 12 and 15 . “That’s where a person becomes able to understand the consequences of their behavior or actions”.
Who is the juvenile justice system responsible for dealing with?
The juvenile justice system is not responsible for addressing issues that have not been resolved by families, schools, and the community. Each state has its own structure and method of processing juvenile justice cases. The juvenile justice system seeks to increase the stigma of deviant behavior .
What is the most common formal sentence for juveniles?
Incarceration in a public facility is the most common formal sentence for juvenile offenders.
What are the stages of the juvenile justice system?
What are the steps or stages in the juvenile justice system? The juvenile justice system is a multistage process: (1) delinquent behavior, (2) referral, (3) intake/diversion, (4) transfer/waiver, (5) detention , (6) adjudication, (7) disposition, (8) juvenile corrections and (9) aftercare.
What state has the most juvenile crime?
West Virginia, Wyoming, Oregon, Alaska, and South Dakota have the highest juvenile custody rates, according to The Sentencing Project. The rate is defined as the number of youths in the juvenile justice system per 100,000 youths in the state.
Is the juvenile system just?
The juvenile justice system and its courts are in place in each state in order to promote justice in the punishment of delinquent youths. The juvenile justice system is meant to punish according to the individual needs of each and every delinquent. ...
