The juvenile justice system shares many of the same components of the adult justice system. Historically both adults and juveniles were tried in the same courts and if convicted they both served out their sentences in the very same facilities. Over time, the system changed for youths however; there remain as many similarities as there are differences between the two justice systems. In this text, one will look at an overview of the juvenile justice system as well as a point-by-point comparison between the adult and juvenile systems. One will also discuss the implications for juvenile offenders and the trends in increasing use of waivers or remanding youths to adult courts to be processed. Finally, one will look at the repercussion of doing away with juvenile courts.
Overview
The juvenile justice system did not begin to take form until the first of the 20th century. Up until that time youths were tried in the very same courts as adults and if convicted, they were held in the same detention facilities. It was finally determined that a separate justice system with their own courts and holding institutions for juveniles would better serve delinquent youths. The primary function of the juvenile justice system is not conviction but adjudication. It places an importance on developing an evocative course that would permit youths that disobey the law the ability to achieve noteworthy rehabilitation. Answering for a criminal act takes second place in the juvenile justice system. First is to provide resources and services that allow rehabilitation along with proper amalgamation of juvenile delinquents and society. The features of the juvenile justice system are separate courts and internment facilities. A minor charged with illegal conduct will be identified as an adjudicated juvenile offender and will not be considered as guilty.
References: Adapted from Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. "Juvenile Justice: A Century of Change." Washington DC: Office of Juvenile Justice, 1999. Ainsworth, J. The Court’s Effectiveness in Protecting the Rights of Juveniles in Delinquency Cases. Retrieved from http://www.princeton.edu/futureofchildren/publications/docs/06_03_04.pdf Champion, D. (2007). The juvenile justice system: delinquency, processing, and the law. (5th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson/Prentice Hall. Mathewson, J. (2010, June 1). Juvenile and adult courts. Retrieved from http://voices.yahoo.com/juvenile-adult-courts-6135514.html?cat=4 Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (2011). Retrieved on December 3, 2011 from http://www.ojjdp.gov/ojstatbb/court/overview.html Tobias, J, and Martin, Michel. Juvenile vs. Adult Justice. AIRDATE: January 30, 2001