Describe some of the early institutions used to respond to wayward and criminal youths.
Among the early institutions used to respond to wayward and criminal youths were houses of refuge, placing out, reform schools, industrial schools, and training schools.
Explain the effects of some landmark U.S. Supreme Court Cases on the juvenile justice system.
Landmark Supreme Court cases on juvenile justice include Ex parte Crouse, People v. Turner, Commonwealth v. Fisher, Kent v. United States, In re Gault, In re Winship, and McKeiver v. Pennsylvania. Some of the effects of those cases on juvenile justice are the right to adequate notice of charges, protection against compelled self-incrimination, the right to confront and to cross-examine accusers, and the right to the assistance of counsel.
Identify and describe factors that influence the ways that police process juvenile cases.
Among the factors that influence the ways that police process juvenile cases are (1) the seriousness of the offense, (2) the community, (3) the wishes of the complainant, (4) the demeanor of the youth, (5) the gender of the offender, (6) the race and social class of the offender, and (7) the police organization.
Summarize the rationale for the use of diversion in juvenile justice.
Diversion programs in juvenile justice are based on the understanding that formal responses to youths who violate the law, such as arrest and adjudication, do not always protect the best interests of children or the community. Indeed, some formal responses may be harmful to many youths and may increase the likelihood of future delinquent behavior. This is because formal processing may cause youths to develop negative or delinquent self-images, may stigmatize youths in the eyes of significant others, or may subject youths to inhumane treatment.
Describe the adjudication hearing in juvenile justice.
There are two types of adjudication: contested ones (in which juveniles dispute the charges) and uncontested ones. Contested adjudications are similar to trials in criminal courts. Most contested adjudications are bench adjudications, in which the hearing officer makes a finding of fact based on the evidence presented. In some jurisdictions, contested adjudications are jury trials. At an uncontested adjudication hearing, the youth, or frequently the youth's attorney, admits to the charges. The vast majority of juvenile court adjudications are uncontested.
Describe the disposition hearing and the types of dispositions available to the juvenile court.
The disposition is the juvenile court equivalent of sentencing in criminal court. At the disposition hearing, the court makes its final determination of what to do with the youth who is officially labeled delinquent. At the disposition, the court also enters various orders regarding the youth's behavior. Those orders consist of various rules the youth must follow. Also, the court may enter orders regarding parents, relatives, or other people who live in the home. Dispositions available to the juvenile court include probation, placement in a diversion program, restitution, community service, detention, placement in foster care, placement in a long-term or short-term residential treatment program, placement with a relative, and placement with the state for commitment to a state facility. Not all disposition alternatives are available in all jurisdictions.
Identify the types and describe the effectiveness of community-based correctional programs for juveniles.
Community-based correctional programs include diversion, pretrial release, probation, foster care, group home placements, and parole. Evaluations of some programs indicate that they are effective at reducing recidivism or that they are as effective as institutional placement. In contrast, evaluations of other community-based programs indicate that they have little effect on subsequent offenses.
Summarize recent trends in juvenile incarceration.
Among recent trends in juvenile incarceration are (1) its increased use (at least until recently), (2) the use of both public and private facilities, (3) the disproportionately large percentage of males and racial or ethnic minorities that are incarcerated, and (4) the increasing number of juveniles being incarcerated in local adult jails and state prisons.
Identify the types and describe the effectiveness of institutional programs for juveniles.
In the United States, a variety of correctional institutions house juveniles, including detention centers, adult jails, shelter facilities, reception and diagnostic centers, ranches, forestry camps, farms, and training schools. There is some evidence that small, secure treatment facilities for violent or chronic offenders are effective at reducing recidivism. However, many institutions, particularly large state institutions, have often been found to have little positive effect on youths' subsequent delinquent behaviors. In fact, they may increase the likelihood that youths will commit further offenses.
