In this assignment, you will explore the juvenile justice system as a separate jurisdiction.
Prompt
Jurisdictions provide the courts with authority to make legal decisions or administer justices within a certain area. Often, these jurisdictions are determined based on geographic location, but sometimes there are other factors that go into determining jurisdiction.
For example, the United States recognizes that juveniles involved with the criminal justice system have different needs and as such fall under the juvenile justice jurisdiction.
In this assignment, you will explore the juvenile justice system as a separate jurisdiction. Using the Module Two Assignment template, in 45 words for each question, explore the juvenile court’s jurisdiction and answer each of the following:
Why does this court exist?
What is the importance of its jurisdictional difference?
What are some of the issues that can arise from this jurisdiction?
Specifically, the following rubric criteria must be addressed:
Explain why this court exists.
Describe the importance of its jurisdictional difference.
Describe some of the issues that can arise from this jurisdiction.
Full Answer Section
What is the importance of its jurisdictional difference?
The importance of the juvenile justice system's jurisdictional difference is that it allows for a more specialized and individualized approach to juvenile justice. Juveniles are treated as juveniles, not as adults, and the focus is on rehabilitation rather than punishment. This can lead to better outcomes for juveniles, both in terms of their recidivism rates and their overall well-being.
What are some of the issues that can arise from this jurisdiction?
One issue that can arise from the juvenile justice system's jurisdictional difference is that it can be difficult to balance the need for public safety with the need to rehabilitate juveniles. Another issue is that the juvenile justice system can be more lenient than the adult criminal justice system, which can lead to public dissatisfaction. Additionally, the juvenile justice system is not always fair and equitable, and juveniles from minority and low-income communities are disproportionately represented in the system.
Despite these challenges, the juvenile justice system is an important part of the American criminal justice system. It provides a separate and distinct court system for juveniles who commit crimes, and it is designed to be more restorative and less punitive than the adult criminal justice system.
Sample Answer
Juvenile Justice System as a Separate Jurisdiction
Why does this court exist?
The juvenile justice system exists to provide a separate and distinct court system for juveniles who commit crimes. This is because juveniles are developmentally different from adults, and they have different needs and potential for rehabilitation. The juvenile justice system is designed to be more restorative and less punitive than the adult criminal justice system.