The juvenile justice system

This assignment will assess the following course objectives:

  • Explain the scope and nature of juvenile delinquency.
  • Analyze biological, psychological and sociological theoretical explanations for juvenile crimes.
  • Assess the influence of gender, family, and social forces on juvenile behavior.
  • Evaluate the effectiveness of the juvenile justice system in preventing crime and rehabilitating offenders.

For this assignment, you will write a case study that analyzes the scope, causes, and effectiveness of the juvenile justice system with respect to a particular type of crime commonly committed by juveniles.
To begin, you must identify a type of crime commonly committed by juveniles. Perform research on the scope of juvenile crime and the types of crimes that juveniles commonly commit (assault, breaking and entering, drug possession, drug sales, robbery, vandalism, larceny, etc.). Identify and analyze five different theories, influences, and/or social forces that are common root causes or contributing factors to juveniles committing the type of crime that you’ve chosen. Provide a well-reasoned evaluation of the effectiveness of the juvenile justice system in deterring crime, rehabilitating offenders, and providing relief to the victims of the crime addressed in the case study. Conclude the case study with three recommendations for improving the juvenile justice system.
The case study assignment should contain the following sections:

  • Introduction
    o Identify a type of crime commonly committed by juveniles and explain why you selected this crime for the assignment. Describe the basic elements of the crime. Explain the scope of juvenile offenders for this type of crime, and identify the impact that this crime has on communities.
  • Root Causes and Contributing Factors
    o Identify and analyze five different theories, influences, and/or social forces that are common root causes or contributing factors to juveniles committing the type of crime that you’ve chosen.
  • Evaluation of the Effectiveness of the Juvenile Justice System
    o Evaluate the effectiveness of the juvenile justice system in deterring crime, rehabilitating offenders, and providing relief to the victims of the juvenile crime addressed in the case study. Discuss recidivism rates of juveniles and factors that contribute to re-offending.
  • Recommendations for Improvement
    o Based on your research and analysis, make three recommendations for improvement in the juvenile justice system. Explain the basis for your recommendations and support them with research and/or data.
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Sample Answer

Case Study: Juvenile Delinquency and the Juvenile Justice System

Type of Crime: Drug Sales

Scope of Juvenile Crime

Drug sales are a common type of crime committed by juveniles. According to the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reports, in 2021, juveniles accounted for 14% of all drug arrests. The most common drugs sold by juveniles are marijuana, cocaine, and heroin.

Causes of Juvenile Crime

There are a number of factors that can contribute to juvenile delinquency, including:

  • Biological factors: Some juveniles may be more predisposed to delinquency due to genetic factors or neurological impairments.
  • Psychological factors: Juveniles who experience mental health problems, such as depression, anxiety, or conduct disorder, are more likely to engage in delinquent behavior.

Full Answer Section

Sociological factors: Juveniles who live in poverty, who have been exposed to violence or trauma, or who have friends who engage in delinquent behavior are more likely to become delinquent themselves.
Influences and Social Forces

There are a number of influences and social forces that can contribute to juvenile delinquency, including:

Family: Juveniles who come from dysfunctional families or who have been abused or neglected are more likely to become delinquent.
Peers: Juveniles who associate with delinquent peers are more likely to become delinquent themselves.
School: Juveniles who have difficulty in school or who are dropouts are more likely to become delinquent.
Community: Juveniles who live in communities with high crime rates or with limited opportunities are more likely to become delinquent.
Effectiveness of the Juvenile Justice System

The juvenile justice system is designed to deter crime, rehabilitate offenders, and provide relief to the victims of crime. However, the system has been criticized for being ineffective in achieving these goals.

One of the main criticisms of the juvenile justice system is that it is too punitive. Juveniles who are convicted of crimes can be placed in detention centers or juvenile jails, which can have a negative impact on their development.

Another criticism of the juvenile justice system is that it is not effective in rehabilitating offenders. Many juveniles who are released from detention centers or juvenile jails go on to reoffend.

The juvenile justice system has also been criticized for its failure to provide adequate support to victims of juvenile crime. Victims of juvenile crime may experience physical and emotional trauma, and they may also suffer financial losses. However, the juvenile justice system often does not provide victims with the support and resources they need to recover.

Recommendations for Improving the Juvenile Justice System

There are a number of things that can be done to improve the juvenile justice system:

Reduce the use of incarceration: Incarceration should be a last resort for juvenile offenders. Instead, the juvenile justice system should focus on rehabilitating offenders through community-based programs.
Provide more support to victims: The juvenile justice system should provide more support to victims of juvenile crime, including financial assistance, counseling, and other resources.
Address the root causes of juvenile crime: The juvenile justice system should work with other agencies to address the root causes of juvenile delinquency, such as poverty, lack of opportunity, and family dysfunction.
By taking these steps, the juvenile justice system can be more effective in deterring crime, rehabilitating offenders, and providing relief to the victims of crime.

Conclusion

Juvenile delinquency is a serious problem, but it is important to remember that juveniles are still developing and that they are capable of change. The juvenile justice system should focus on rehabilitating juvenile offenders and helping them to become productive members of society.

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