Juvenile Delinquency Chapter 7

Adolescence

Formative developmental stage that changes the young person rapidly and dramatically, but also in major social contexts, including within the family, in peer groups, and at school.

Adolescence- Limited Offenders

Phenomenon that most adolescents will discontinue delinquent and criminal activity on their own by age 16.

Alternative Education Program

Separate school, or part of a school building, where students are removed to because they were unsuccessful academically or behaviorally in their original classroom.

Complaint

First document filed with the court (actually with the County Clerk or Clerk of the Court) by a person or entity claiming legal rights against another. The party filing the complaint is usually called the “plaintiff,” and the party against whom the complaint is filed is called the “defendant.”

Detention Center

County-run facility that houses low-level, status, or other youthful offenders, typically for short periods of time (a few days up to six months).

Psychosocial Maturity

Ability to respond appropriately to the environment. For adolescents, this refers to peers, family, school, and community.

Recidivism

Repeating of criminal behavior or experience, including offending, detention, or incarceration placement.

Re-Entry

Process of returning from an incarceration facility (detention, jail, prison) back to a home community.

Solitary Confinement

Holding of an incarcerated young person (from hours to months) in an isolated locked room with no contact with other offenders, and most of the time with little-to-no staff contact.

Transfer Laws

State laws that allow the transfer of youthful offenders to adult criminal courts based on certain age and offense criteria.

Unformed Character Development

Trait of adolescence whereby ongoing social, cognitive, and psychological development continues.

Life- Course persistent Offenders

Name category for adolescents who continue criminal behavior in the future