Juvenile Delinquency, Justice System, and Corrections

What is the distinction between delinquents and adults who commit the same illegal acts?

Delinquents are juveniles who commit acts that are criminal when committed by adults.

What are status offenses?

Offenses that apply only to juveniles, such as smoking and disobeying parents.

Why do status offenses exist?

Because the law assumes that juveniles lack the maturity to appreciate the long-term consequences of their behavior.

What percentage of all crimes are committed by juveniles?

Juveniles commit 7% of all crimes.

What is the age-crime curve?

A statistical representation showing a sharp increase in offending during early adolescence, peaking in midadolescence, and then declining in early adulthood.

What did Junger-Tas (1996) conclude about delinquent behavior?

Delinquent behavior is a part of growing up and is normative for juveniles.

What is the relationship between adolescent brain development and behavior?

Adolescents exhibit immaturity in behavior that corresponds with the immaturity of their developing brains.

What hormonal changes occur in boys during puberty that are linked to behavior?

A 10- to 20-fold increase in testosterone, which is linked to aggression and dominance seeking.

What are life course-persistent (LCP) offenders?

Offenders who begin offending prior to puberty and continue into adulthood, often with neuropsychological and temperamental deficits.

What are adolescent-limited (AL) offenders?

Offenders who have a prosocial trajectory that is temporarily derailed during adolescence.

What is parens patriae?

A legal principle giving the state the right to act in the best interest of a child or legally incapacitated person.

What was the historical view of children in relation to criminal responsibility?

Children were not recognized as having special allowances for culpability and were treated similarly to property.

At what age could children be held criminally responsible in English courts during the Middle Ages?

Children between the ages of 7 and 14 could be held responsible if they were aware of the consequences of their actions.

What was the purpose of workhouses created for vagrant youths?

To instill 'habits of industry' through discipline, hard work, and religious instruction.

What was the role of the state regarding children whose parents could not control them?

The state could remove children from their families and place them in custody if they were delinquent.

What is the significance of the juvenile justice system in relation to parents?

It serves as a substitute parent when parents are unwilling or unable to protect their children from harm.

What are some potential consequences of status offenses for juveniles?

Defiance of authority, inadequate education, addiction, and teenage parenthood.

What does the decline in crime rates during early adulthood suggest?

That most youths who offend during adolescence desist from offending as they mature.

What was the primary source of American notions of childhood and juvenile misconduct?

Imported from England.

What was the living condition of children in houses of refuge?

They lived highly disciplined lives and were required to work at jobs that generated income.

What legal case established standards for the admission of children to houses of refuge?

Ex Parte Crouse (1838).

What doctrine supersedes parental rights according to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court?

The parens patriae doctrine.

When was the first juvenile court system established in the United States?

In 1899, in Cook County, Illinois.

By what year had every state established juvenile court systems?

By 1945.

What two authorities are combined in juvenile courts?

Social control and social welfare.

What is the process called when a juvenile is transferred to adult court?

Waiver.

What are the three primary ways juveniles can be waived to criminal court?

Judicial waiver, prosecutorial discretion, and statutory exclusion.

What did studies show about juveniles waived to adult courts?

They are more likely to recidivate than those adjudicated in juvenile court.

What did critics argue about the parens patriae doctrine?

It allowed too much latitude for courts to restrict the rights of juveniles.

What landmark case did the U.S. Supreme Court hear in 1966 regarding juvenile rights?

Kent v. United States.

What was the outcome of the Kent v. United States case?

Juveniles must be afforded certain constitutional rights.

What five basic constitutional due process rights were established in In re Gault (1967)?

Proper notification of charges, legal counsel, confrontation of witnesses, privilege against self-incrimination, and appellate review.

What standard of proof was established in In re Winship (1970) for juvenile adjudication hearings?

The 'beyond a reasonable doubt' standard.

What was the ruling in McKeiver v. Pennsylvania (1971) regarding juveniles and jury trials?

Juveniles do not have the right to a jury trial during adjudication hearings.

What did the Supreme Court rule in Breed v. Jones (1975) regarding double jeopardy?

The prohibition against double jeopardy applies to juveniles after an adjudicatory hearing.

What was the ruling in Schall v. Martin (1984) regarding preventive detention of juveniles?

It was ruled permissible as it serves a legitimate state interest.

How many offenders who committed crimes as juveniles were executed in the U.S. from 1973 to 2003?

22 offenders.

What was the significance of the Court ruling regarding juveniles and bail?

The Court ruled that juveniles do not enjoy the right to bail consideration, emphasizing the state's parens patriae interests.

How many juvenile offenders were executed in the U.S. from 1973 to 2003?

A total of 22 offenders who committed their crimes as juveniles were executed.

What was the first case involving a juvenile execution in the U.S.?

Eddings v. Oklahoma (1982).

What mitigating factor was considered in Eddings v. Oklahoma?

Eddings's age and his history of abusive treatment at home.

What principle did the Supreme Court use in Thompson v. Oklahoma (1988) to rule against juvenile death penalty?

The 'evolving standards of decency' principle.

At what age did the Supreme Court draw the line for the juvenile death penalty in Roper v. Simmons (2005)?

18 years old.

What was Christopher Simmons's age when he committed his crime?

17 years old.

What are amicus curiae briefs?

They are 'Friend of the court' briefs presented to argue in support of one side or the other by interested parties not directly involved in the case.

What are the three main goals of the juvenile justice system?

To protect the community, hold delinquent youths accountable, and provide treatment and positive role models for youths.

What is deferred adjudication in the juvenile justice system?

A decision to delay formal court proceedings if a youth follows probation conditions, used for status offenses or minor property offenses.

What is a predisposition report in juvenile courts?

A report analogous to a presentence investigation report in adult courts.

What is intensive supervision probation (ISP)?

A method of probation for juveniles requiring more extensive supervision, typically imposed as a last chance before incarceration.

What does a community service order entail for juvenile offenders?

It requires probationers to work a certain number of hours doing tasks to help their communities.

What is the purpose of residential facilities in juvenile corrections?

To provide treatment and supervision for adjudicated delinquents, not analogous to adult prisons.

What is the difference between boot camps and wilderness programs in juvenile corrections?

Wilderness programs focus on self-discipline and character-building through structured challenges, while boot camps are more militaristic.

What is the typical population size of juvenile facilities?

Juvenile facilities are usually much smaller, rarely housing more than 250 juveniles.

What is the average case load for probation officers in the juvenile system?

About 42 cases.

What happens to juveniles from antisocial families in the juvenile justice system?

They may not receive positive support from probation officers due to their background.

What is the primary concern regarding the costs of juvenile incarceration?

The costs associated with incarceration are considerably higher, with more money spent on programming relative to security.

What is the role of probation officers under the doctrine of parens patriae?

They become surrogate parents to the youth placed on probation.

What is the typical disposition for juveniles who commit violent offenses?

Commitment to a juvenile institutional corrections facility.

What is the goal of juvenile community corrections?

To implement measures that protect the community while holding youths accountable and providing treatment.

What is the significance of the Supreme Court's ruling in Roper v. Simmons?

It established that executing individuals under 18 is unconstitutional.

What type of offenses typically lead to formal probation after adjudication?

More serious offenses than those eligible for deferred adjudication.

How do juvenile facilities differ from adult prisons?

Juvenile facilities focus more on rehabilitation and treatment rather than punishment.

What is the role of community service in juvenile corrections?

To compensate victims and the community for the harm caused by the juvenile's actions.