The Criminal Justice System’s Approach to Juvenile Offenders
What are the 3 basic components of the juvenile justice system?
The major components of the juvenile justice system are also featured, including law enforcement, prosecution and the courts, and corrections. Corrections is presented in a broad context, with each correctional component described.
The Criminal Justice System’s Approach to Juvenile Offenders
The criminal justice system in the United States has a different perspective when dealing with juveniles as compared to adults that have committed a crime. Juveniles are treated with more leniency, as the focus tends to be on rehabilitation and reform. The United States Supreme Court has set out certain legal protections in the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act that are meant to keep the juvenile offender out of adult court.
When it comes to juvenile crimes, the idea is to rehabilitate rather than punish. The goal of the criminal justice system is to keep the juvenile offender out of adult court and focus on programs and mandatory therapy sessions that can help address any underlying issues that have led to the criminal behavior in the first place. This can sometimes involve counseling, substance abuse treatment, or mental health treatment. In some cases, juvenile offenders may even be put on probation and monitored by Juvenile Probation Officers.
There are several things that must be taken into account when a juvenile offender is sentenced in adult court. The most important factor is the age of the offender. Juveniles cannot be sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole, whereas adults can. In addition, juveniles cannot be put to death, as the constitution prohibits this from happening.
When a juvenile is placed in a juvenile justice facility, the goal is to provide programming that will help the child learn from their mistakes and become productive members of society. These programs typically focus on job skills, anger management, and educational classes. This approach to rehabilitation has been proven to reduce recidivism rates among juvenile offenders.
Another part of the criminal justice system’s approach to juvenile offenders involves working with the family. Juvenile offenders are often seen as being in need of guidance, teaching, and love. Therefore, drawing on the support of the family can be an important part of the rehabilitation process.
Overall, the criminal justice system’s approach to juvenile offenders reflects a marked recognition of the unique circumstances that juveniles face. The goal isn’t about punishment but about understanding what led to the criminal behavior in the first place and providing the necessary help and support to have the juvenile offender lead a better life.
