Youth Crime and Criminal Justice System

Registration and Important Dates

• All students must complete the registration for the upcoming exam through the provided Google Form link to ensure their participation. This link is available on the course webpage and must be accessed prior to the deadline for registration.

• The exam is scheduled for Next Tuesday, April 18 at noon in Regent Theater. Students should arrive at least 15 minutes early to settle in and avoid any last-minute rush.

• It is crucial to highlight the importance of submitting assignments prior to the deadline. Assignments submitted after 11:59 PM will incur percentage deductions: 10% if submitted the day after the deadline, 9% if two days late, 8% if three days late, and this deduction continues each subsequent day until the assignment is no longer accepted.

Midterms Update

• Teaching Assistants (TAs) are currently engaged in the grading process for midterms, and students should expect results to be released soon. It is recommended to check for updates regularly. In case of specific queries regarding grading, students can reach out to their TAs during office hours for clarification.

• Many students expressed uncertainty about their performance as they await their midterm results. To alleviate anxiety, it may be beneficial to review their answer sheets and compare them with the resources provided during the semester.

Upcoming Class Structure

• There will be no in-person class for next week in lieu of an award ceremony honoring the professor's nomination for a mentorship award. This is a significant achievement recognizing the professor's impact on students and commitment to their success.

• Following the break, the focus of the classes will shift to critical issues in criminal justice, specifically economies motivated by crime and the dynamics of intimate partner violence. These topics will be integral to the upcoming curriculum and will provide students with a deeper understanding of their relevance in today’s society.

• Future lectures will incorporate a mix of multiple-choice questions, short answer assessments, and discussions surrounding the major topics covered in the course, ensuring comprehensive coverage of the material and preparing students for their evaluations.

Youth Criminal Justice Act Overview

• The Youth Criminal Justice Act (YCJA) acknowledges the developmental differences between youth (ages 12-18) and adults, setting forth provisions for the unique processing of young offenders. This legislation aims to strike a balance between accountability and rehabilitation.

• The minimum age at which a youth can be charged with a criminal offense is 12 years. For individuals below this threshold, their behavior is regulated by the Child and Family Services Act, which emphasizes care and rehabilitation over punishment.

Historical Context of Youth Offending

• Before 1900: Young individuals were largely treated as adult offenders, facing the same legal proceedings and penalties without consideration for their age or maturity.

• 1908: The introduction of the Juvenile Delinquents Act established distinctions for youth aged 7-16, implementing informal court proceedings that encouraged parental involvement and aimed to divert youth from the traditional justice system.

• 1984: The Young Offenders Act was enacted, acknowledging the cognitive differences between youth and adults. This Act set a minimum age for criminal charges (12 years) and introduced diversionary options to keep young offenders out of formal court proceedings, thus promoting rehabilitation over punishment.

Youth Criminal Justice Act (2003)

• The YCJA was enacted to further decrease youth custody rates and promote alternatives to incarceration. The focus is on creating diversionary measures such as community service, counseling, and other rehabilitative efforts designed to prevent reoffending and support positive development.

Assessment of Youth Crime

• Data indicates that youth crime rates have been on a steady decline, evidenced by significant reductions from 1998 to 2021. Despite public perception suggesting an increase in youth crime, statistical evidence often reflects decreasing trends.

• Notably, although a spike was observed in youth crime rates between 2022 and 2023, these rates remain substantially lower than the levels recorded before the COVID-19 pandemic, indicating a need to align public perception with statistical trends.

Transfer to Adult Court

• Under the YCJA, there are provisions allowing the transfer of youth who commit serious offenses to adult court beginning at age 14. Factors considered may include the severity of the offense and the youth's previous criminal history.

• Serious habitual offenders or those whose actions pose a significant risk to public safety can face adult sentences, which may include rehabilitative measures intended to facilitate their reintegration into society.

Recent Trends and Cases

• Recent reports suggest that perceptions of crime trends significantly influence public policies; however, these perceptions are often misguided or exaggerated. It is essential to base policy-making on accurate data rather than fear-based public sentiment.

• Documented incidents of serious youth offenses, such as a prostitution ring run by adolescents and instances of violent swarming attacks, underscore the complexities surrounding youth crime. Each case reflects varying societal influences and highlights the judicial responses facilitated by the YCJA, aiming to balance justice and rehabilitation effectively.

• Youth Violence

  • Individuals under age 19 who engage in violent behavior require thorough assessment and treatment to effectively reduce the likelihood of continuing violence into adulthood. Factors contributing to youth violence include both internalizing (emotional) and externalizing (behavioral) problems, which can be identified through clinical evaluation.

  • Understanding Underlying Issues:

    • It is essential to explore the psychological backgrounds and environmental triggers that may lead to violent behavior in youth.

    • Family dynamics, peer influences, socio-economic status, exposure to violence, and mental health issues are critical areas of focus.

• Early Identification

  • Behavioral problems are often first recognized in children under 12 years in school settings. Common manifestations include fighting, bullying, excessive talking, and defiance towards authority figures. Early intervention is crucial as these behaviors can escalate without appropriate support.

  • Psychological assessments, which may be recommended by teachers, school psychologists, or parents, typically utilize standardized tests designed to diagnose psychiatric conditions, aiding in the early identification and intervention for at-risk youth.

• Types of Problems

  • Internalizing Problems:

    • These emotional difficulties encompass a range of issues such as anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and social withdrawal. Internalizing problems can significantly impair a youth's academic performance and social interactions.

  • Externalizing Problems:

    • These are characterized by visible behavioral issues, including delinquency, fighting, lying, and engaging in destructive acts. Persistent externalizing behaviors often escalate, potentially leading to serious antisocial acts and setting the stage for future interactions with the criminal justice system. Understanding the distinction between these two categories is vital for effective intervention.

• Importance of Psychological Assessment

  • Comprehensive psychological assessments can yield crucial diagnoses that directly influence treatment pathways, legal outcomes, and prospects for rehabilitation. Engaging mental health professionals in the assessment process ensures that interventions are adequately tailored to meet the youth's specific needs and circumstances.

  • In some cases, individuals and families may encounter legal battles over the necessity and implications of psychological assessments, which significantly impact the youth's designation within the justice system. The ability to provide documentation of mental health needs can affect sentencing, rehabilitation options, and overall outcomes.

• Specific Disorders

  • Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD):

    • This disorder manifests as a persistently angry or irritable mood, argumentative behavior, and defiance towards authoritative figures for a duration of at least six months. To be diagnosed with ODD, an individual must exhibit at least four symptoms from a specified list, which may include often losing temper, arguing with adults, and refusing to comply with requests.

  • Conduct Disorder:

    • More severe than ODD, Conduct Disorder involves a repeated pattern of behavior that violates the rights of others or societal norms. Signs may include physical fights, cruelty to animals, property destruction, deceitfulness, and serious violations of rules. Early diagnosis and intervention are critical to redirecting these patterns.

• ADHD

  • Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is characterized by persistent inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity, leading to significant functional impairment across multiple settings, such as academic and home environments. To qualify for an ADHD diagnosis, at least six symptoms of hyperactivity and impulsivity must be present consistently for a minimum of six months.

• Links to Antisocial Behavior

  • Research indicates that the behaviors associated with ADHD, particularly impulsivity and difficulty with decision-making, correlate with a higher incidence of engaging in criminal activities, including theft, vandalism, and violence. Understanding these links is crucial for developing targeted intervention strategies.

• Developmental Trajectories

  • Child Onset vs. Adolescent Onset:

    • Child onset of antisocial behavior typically leads to more severe long-term outcomes, including the potential development of antisocial personality disorder in adulthood. On the other hand, adolescents with limited offending behaviors tend to cease their delinquent activities once they reach independence, suggesting that environmental factors largely influence their behaviors.

• Risk Factors

  • The emergence of youth antisocial behavior is linked to a complex interplay of genetic, individual, family, and community factors. The presence of multiple risk factors—such as poor parenting practices, association with antisocial peers, and a disorganized community environment—significantly increases the likelihood of delinquent behavior.

• Protective Factors

  • Building resilience through stable and supportive relationships, demonstrating high intelligence, and fostering a commitment to education are essential components in mitigating the risk of violence and delinquency. Youth who exhibit self-efficacy, positive interpersonal relationships, and prosocial attitudes are less likely to engage in criminal behavior, further underscoring the importance of support systems.

• Intervention Strategies

  • Universal Prevention:

    • This approach focuses on preventing violence before it occurs by promoting positive behaviors and teaching conflict resolution to entire populations, fostering community cohesion.

  • Selective Prevention:

    • Aimed at youth identified as at risk of developing antisocial behavior patterns, this strategy involves targeted interventions that address specific needs based on identified risk factors.

  • Indicated Prevention:

    • This approach focuses on youth who have already exhibited delinquent behaviors, providing supportive interventions designed to minimize the risk of reoffending and guiding them towards positive behavioral changes.

• Conclusion

  • Effective intervention in youth violence necessitates a profound understanding of the multifaceted psychological, familial, and community factors that shape young people's behaviors. Tailoring assessments and interventions to match the unique profiles of at-risk youth can significantly improve the chances for successful rehabilitation and reduce the likelihood of recidivism, thereby fostering a healthier society.