The Juvenile Justice
The juvenile justice movement traces its initiation to the late 1800s. The movement aimed to restructure the U.S strategies concerning youth lawbreakers. The juvenile justice system has advanced, shifting from the U.S primary intention, with many modifications that have made it similar to the adult structure. Before the progressive period: child lawbreakers were jailed with adults while the initial activists aimed at reorienting instead of punishing children (Legislative & Legislative, 2019). The nation took over parental responsibility until the children became of good character. By the 1960s, the Juvenile courts had jurisdiction over all cases from persons under 18. Handovers into the adult law court were only probable through a juvenile court’s expert witness waiver.
In 1968, Congress approved the Juvenile Delinquency Prevention and Control Act, intended to motivate the development of community-level approaches to discourage juvenile delinquency. In 1974, a strong thrust towards preventing juvenile delinquency, deinstitutionalization of youth already in the system, and keeping the youth offenders away from adult criminals was already in place (Vasan, 2020). Amendments were made to try juveniles as adults for some crimes due to increased crime rates. Minimum detention was put in place in particular states.
The process of juvenile justice begins at intake when the youth first arrive in a secure care facility. A search is conducted of their possession then proceeds for a mental examination. A treatment plan is then arranged depending on the mental state (Wright, 2012). A detention hearing is then determined. Afterward, the staff and guardians work collectively to ensure positive results (Walker et al., 2015). Waivers are issued since adult penalties are harsher and are based on punishments, unlike juveniles, which major in rehabilitation.
Conclusively, the growth of the juvenile justice system has greatly improved the welfare of children in enormous approaches. The juvenile system and the care and treatment of children have been evolving. Various modifications have been put into place to ensure protection and guidance in the behavior restructuring of the children. The system has fostered a more responsible youth generation. Children are now being rehabilitated and treated well instead of being punished severely.
References
Legislative, Dakota., & Legislative, Dakota. (2019). Juvenile justice system. North Dakota Legislative Council.
Vasan, P. (2020). “JUVENILE REHABILITATION” – JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM. International Journal of Psychosocial Rehabilitation, 24(04), 1253–1263. https://doi.org/10.37200/ijpr/v24i4/pr201096
Walker, S. C., Bishop, A. S., Trayler, K., Jaeger, R., Gustaveson, S., & Guthrie, A. C. (2015). Impact of peer partner support on self-efficacy for justice-involved parents: A controlled study of Juvenile Justice 101. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 24(2), 443-454. Retrieved from: EBSCOhost.
Wright, J. (2012). Introduction to criminal justice. San Diego, CA: Bridgepoint Education, Inc.