discretionary powers
It is well known that police officers have broad discretionary powers. This applies equally to delinquencies as well as juvenile crimes. The action a police officer will take depends on various factors such as the behavior of a juvenile and/or the officers observations of suspicious activities and so on. Law enforcement officers are encountering a number of delinquent behaviors among children. Offenses can range from small status offenses to serious crimes. Officers’ discretionary power is allowing them to either reprimand and release a juvenile or transport him/her to detention for referral to juvenile court. Depending on the circumstances, officers are empowered to determine if they should use legal action or just tell a child to go home. According to Lawrence (2008), most police contact with juveniles is informal and only in a small percentage of encounters are juveniles arrested.
The discretionary aspect for police officers results in them taking different actions for the same type of delinquencies. However, the steps they take will be similar, if not the same, in cases where crimes are involved. Unfortunately, there is also the possibility of police abusing their discretionary powers or that they base their decisions on sex, race, or socioeconomic status as some believeIt is well known that police officers have broad discretionary powers. This applies equally to delinquencies as well as juvenile crimes. The action a police officer will take depends on various factors such as the behavior of a juvenile and/or the officers observations of suspicious activities and so on. Law enforcement officers are encountering a number of delinquent behaviors among children. Offenses can range from small status offenses to serious crimes. Officers’ discretionary power is allowing them to either reprimand and release a juvenile or transport him/her to detention for referral to juvenile court. Depending on the circumstances, officers are empowered to determine if they should
The discretionary aspect for police officers results in them taking different actions for the same type of delinquencies. However, the steps they take will be similar, if not the same, in cases where crimes are involved. Unfortunately, there is also the possibility of police abusing their discretionary powers or that they base their decisions on sex, race, or socioeconomic status as some believeIt is well known that police officers have broad discretionary powers. This applies equally to delinquencies as well as juvenile crimes. The action a police officer will take depends on various factors such as the behavior of a juvenile and/or the officers observations of suspicious activities and so on. Law enforcement officers are encountering a number of delinquent behaviors among children. Offenses can range from small status offenses to serious crimes. Officers’ discretionary power is allowing them to either reprimand and release a juvenile or transport him/her to detention for referral to juvenile court. Depending on the circumstances, officers are empowered to determine if they should