Juveniles in the Criminal Justice System

Flashcards about Juveniles in the Criminal Justice System

What is the primary goal of the Juvenile Justice System?

To ensure minors are held accountable for violating the law, while encouraging rehabilitation and alternatives to incarceration.

What is the age range that defines a juvenile criminal?

It varies by state, with the maximum age being either 16 or 18 years old.

What are the two categories juvenile criminals are classified as?

Juvenile delinquents and status offenders.

What is a juvenile delinquent?

A juvenile who has committed an act that would be considered a crime regardless of age.

Give an example of a common delinquent crime.

Theft/larceny, vandalism, possession of drugs, disorderly conduct, simple/minor assault.

What is a status offender?

A juvenile who has committed an act that is an offense only because of their age.

Give an example of a common status offender crime.

Curfew violations, truancy, ungovernability, alcohol offenses, runaways.

Why is the separation of delinquents & status offenders required?

To ensure status offenders are not exposed to harsher criminal elements or juvenile delinquent influences.

How are status offender cases typically handled?

Informally, and do not result in severe penalties.

How are delinquent cases typically handled?

More formally, and often result in going to court.

When does trying juveniles as adults typically occur?

When the crime is particularly serious or violent, or the juvenile is a long-time repeat offender.

Do juveniles have the right to a jury?

No, unless tried as an adult.

What percentage of all arrests in 2017 were juveniles under the age of 18?

9.1 percent.

What percentage of juvenile cases in 2017 were property offense cases?

32 percent.

What is the estimated number of juveniles held in facilities as a result of delinquency in 2018?

Roughly 53,000.

Name some causes of juvenile crime.

External issues (school, friends), conflictive or violent home life, parental rejection, criminal parents, lack of supervision, social expectations.

Name some effects of juvenile crime on juveniles.

Decline in mental health, stress within the family, damage of support systems.

Name some effects of juvenile crime on the community.

Community image, community safety, continued criminal activity.

What percentage of juveniles in facilities have developed one or more mental health conditions?

2/3

What percentage of juveniles held in correctional facilities have contact with their families less than once a week?

39 percent

How the brain development impact the behavior of juvenile crime?

Juveniles are more sensitive to rewards and more likely to make or participate in risky behavior.

Imprisoning a juvenile in a facility cost an average daily rate?

$407 a day, or roughly $150,000 per year.

What is the estimated daily cost of a juvenile receiving community-based support services?

$75 per day.

When was the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act established?

1974

What are the key provisions of the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act?

Nationwide planning and advisory systems, federal funding for delinquency prevention, and the operation of the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention.

What are law enforcement officers role with juvenile law breakers?

Varies from community to community and state to state.

Can Law Enforcement Officers arrest juvenile offenders?

Officers are not always required to arrest juvenile offenders , if the crime is minor enough.

What actions can an Law Enforcement Officers take to avoid arresting a juvenile?

Issuing a verbal warning or holding parental or guardian conference.

When does parental notification occur?

Immediate notification of a juvenile’s arrest, rights, and alleged crime to the juvenile’s parent or legal guardian.

When are Miranda Rights read to a juvenile offender?

If an officer intends to interrogate them while in custody.

What is the first Miranda Right?

You have the right to remain silent.

What is the second Miranda Right?

Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law.

What is the third Miranda Right?

You have the right to an attorney.

What is the fourth Miranda Right?

If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be provided for you.

Who must be present in a Juvenile Interview, to waive the right to remain silent?

has a parent or guardian present or has a legal counsel present.

How should the interview space be?

Free from distractions, a safe place, and non-threatening.

What formal clothing can do in an interview?

Formal uniforms can be intimidating and cause a juvenile to become resistant to questioning.

What terms and concepts should interviewers use?

Concepts appropriate for the juvenile’s age and understanding.

What are some interviewing techniques?

Establish trust, encourage juveniles to give details, utilize open-ended questions, actively listen, utilize confrontation when necessary, and take breaks when necessary.

What happens when an officer utilizes confrontation?

if a juvenile is becoming uncooperative or repeatedly lying, a firmer tone and attitude may be needed to get the juvenile back on track

What are consequences for juvenile status offenders?

Being issued a warning, being detained until a parent arrive, being referred to attend community service or another alternative program, or being issued a citation.

What are consequences for juvenile delinquents?

Being arrested or referred to juvenile court.

How is Juvenile Court different from Adult Court?

Juvenile cases are considered civil, not criminal. Cases can seem informal, there is no jury

When is Adult Court involved in the juvenile process?

When a waiver has been filled and if the juvenile meets certain requirements like length of juvenile delinquency record, seriousness of the crime

Who decides informal vs. formal penalties?

probation officers decide informal penalties while judges decide formal, courier ordered penalties

What are the graduated sanctions for juveniles criminal behavior?

Immediate intervention, intermediate sanctions, community confinement, secure corrections, and aftercare.

What is the purpose juvenile alternative programs?

Allows juveniles to be held responsible for their delinquent actions without incarceration or detention and Focus on rehabilitation and re-offense prevention.

What do Juvenile Residential Facilities include?

Youth shelters, group homes, wilderness or ranch camps, boot camps, and residential treatment facilities.

Can Adult Prisons & Jails be utilized for juvenile incarceration?

Yes, if they meet certain criteria

What does the Alternative Programs focus on?

Focus on rehabilitation and re-offense prevention