Juveniles in the Criminal Justice System

Flashcards about juveniles in the criminal justice system. Topics include: the juvenile correction system, alternative programs, current trends in juvenile justice, techniques used to interview children, programs and agencies within the juvenile justice system and their roles and responsibilities, reasons why the juvenile system is separated from the adult legal system, juvenile delinquency and status offense cases, strategies for working with juveniles, structure and processes of the juvenile detention system including arrest procedures, intake, pretrial diversion and transfer to adult court, landmark juvenile cases and the rights of juveniles and similarities and differences between the juvenile justice system and the adult system.

What are the objectives related to juveniles in the criminal justice system?

To discuss the juvenile correction system, analyze current trends in juvenile justice, describe techniques used to interview children, identify programs and agencies within the juvenile justice system, evaluate reasons for separation from the adult system, differentiate juvenile delinquency and status offense cases, and analyze strategies for working with juveniles.

What are further objectives related to juveniles in the criminal justice system?

To evaluate the impact of various types of crime, explain the structure and processes of the juvenile detention system, research landmark juvenile cases and the rights of juveniles, and communicate the similarities and differences between the juvenile and adult justice systems.

What is the purpose of the Juvenile Justice System?

Ensures minors are held accountable for violating the law but encourages rehabilitation and alternative programs to incarceration as a form of punishment.

Who are Juvenile Criminals?

Individuals under the maximum minor age who have committed a crime, categorized as juvenile delinquents or status offenders.

Who is a Juvenile Delinquent?

A juvenile who has committed an act considered a crime at any age.

Who is a Status Offender?

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

What are common Delinquent Crimes?

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

What are common Status Offender Crimes?

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

Why is separation of delinquents & Status Offenders Required?

To ensure status offenders are not exposed to harsher criminal elements of any juvenile delinquent influence.

When does trying Juveniles as Adults occur?

Particularly serious or violent crimes and long-time repeat offenders.

What are the causes of Juvenile Crime?

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

What are the effects of Juvenile Crime on juveniles?

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

What are the effects of Juvenile Crime on the community?

Community image, community safety, and continued criminal activity.

What costs are included in the Costs of Juvenile Crime?

Court and lawyer fees, facility operational costs, housing, clothing and food services, treatment, therapy and rehabilitation services, and educational or vocational programs.

What is the purpose of the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act?

To back local and state efforts of preventing juvenile delinquency and improving the juvenile justice system.

What do many local and state policies allow for when it comes to juvenile offenders?

Officer discretion.

How can Law Enforcement Officers avoid arresting a juvenile?

Issuing a verbal warning and holding a parental or guardian conference.

What is Parental Notification?

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

What rights does the Juvenile Miranda Rights establish and inform the arrested individual of?

A juvenile can remain silent, anything a juvenile says in custody can be used in court, juveniles can have a parent present, juveniles can receive help from a lawyer and juveniles can stop an interview at any time.

What do the Strategies for Questioning Juvenile Offenders include?

Choosing a formal or informal interview style and formal uniform or casual clothes and choosing terms and concepts appropriate for the juvenile’s age and understanding.

What do Interviewing Techniques include?

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

What are the consequences for Juvenile Status Offenders?

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

What are the consequences for Juvenile Delinquents?

Being arrested or referred to appear in court.

What does Juvenile Court do?

Hears cases involving juvenile offenses, cases are considered civil, not criminal and can seem informal.

When is Adult Court involved in the juvenile process?

Length of juvenile delinquency record, seriousness of the crime and age of the offender.

What does Adult Court do?

Treats the juvenile as an adult, where they are subject to more severe punishments.

Who are the People Involved in the Juvenile Court Process?

Juveniles and their families, police officers, school officials, juvenile probation, lawyers and judges.

What Rights of Juveniles on Arrest are included?

Right to a notice of charges, right to remain silent, right to an attorney present, right to a parent present and privilege against self-incrimination.

What are the two ways Juvenile Arrests can occur?

Non-custodial arrest and Custodial arrest.

What is a Non-Custodial Arrest?

An arrest in which the juvenile offender is not taken into police custody.

What is a Custodial Arrest?

An arrest in which the juvenile offender is taken into police custody.

Who are Juvenile Probation Officers?

Employees of the probation department who work closely with courts.

What does the Juvenile Intake Department do?

Screens juveniles based on the severity of the offense to determine if a matter should be dismissed, resolved informally or resolved formally.

What factors are taken into account during a Juvenile Intake Review?

Juvenile’s age, juvenile’s social history, juvenile’s previous offenses, strength of evidence in the case, severity of the crime or offense and parent’s ability to control the juvenile’s behavior.

When does Petitioning the Case occur?

Occurs if the intake or probation officer files a document with the court to formally charge the juvenile with an alleged delinquent act, petitioning the court to hear the case.

What occurs during an Arraignment?

The court explains the formal charges against the juvenile alleged in the petition.

What decisions can result from an Initial Hearing?

Dismissal of charges, pretrial diversion, plea agreement and adjudicatory hearing.

What occurs during an Adjudicatory Hearing?

Occurs when a juvenile case goes to trial, where both attorneys present evidence, question witnesses and discuss the case.

What occurs during a Disposition Hearing?

The judge determines the appropriate sentencing and treatment for the juvenile.

What is a Disposition Order?

A written and signed document by the court stating the decision chosen for the juvenile and any necessary sentencing conditions.

What is the intention of Penalties for Juveniles?

Intended to rehabilitate and provide tools necessary for the juvenile to become a productive citizen in society.

What do Informal Penalties include?

Listening to a lecture by an officer or parent, paying for damages or fines, community service work, going to after-school classes, attending counseling and taking part in probation.

What do Court Ordered Penalties include?

Attending counseling, taking part in probation, repaying any victims from the incident and confinement in a juvenile detention or correctional facility.

What are Graduated Sanctions?

Intervention strategies designed to act in unison to encourage accountability, protect public safety and reduce reoffending by preventing future juvenile criminal behavior.

What is included in the Graduated Sanction Steps?

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

What do Juvenile Facilities refer to?

Places which house juveniles after being found guilty of delinquency.

What do Juvenile Correctional Facilities include?

Diagnostic centers, detention centers and long-term secure facilities.

What do Juvenile Residential Facilities include?

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

What do Alternative Programs do?

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

What do Juvenile Alternative Programs include?

Counseling, electronic monitoring, community service, victim awareness classes, probation, financial restitution and mental health treatment.

What Resources are available for At-Risk Juvenile Delinquents?

Family or individual therapy or counseling, anti-bullying initiatives, educational support, sexual education, mentorship programs, family or adult online resources.