Paper Topic:

Juvenile Justice

The Juvenile Justice System

The Department of Juvenile Justice has been around in the country since the late eighteen hundreds , but it has been modified greatly over the years

Juvenile justice is the area of criminal law applicable to persons not old enough to be held

years . Juvenile law is mainly governed by state law and most states have enacted a

juvenile code . The main goal of the juvenile justice system is rehabilitation rather than

punishment (Juvenile Justice

This system has been around so long because our society strongly

feels that juveniles are not psychologically mature enough to realize that their actions can have life altering consequences . The Juvenile Justice System is important because how a society trains and treats its youth will definitely affect the future of that society

In 2003 , 18 of all persons under age 18 lived at or below the poverty level (NCJJ ) Since so many juveniles are victims of poverty , they become restless especially when they are forced to see other youths with lives full of possessions , informational opportunities , and educational opportunities . This is not just a petty jealousy , but the idea of knowing that because one is poor and opportunities are scarce , it is unlikely that the cycle of poverty will not be broken . This frustration can be turned into a life of violence and crime just to have the things that the majority have and even take for granted . There are several things that are to blame for the problem . Free educational opportunities and job training for all , if provided for by the federal government instead of wasting money on frivolous projects , could change the lives of juveniles who are doomed for a life of crime . Recreational opportunities are scarce in a home that is in poverty

Minorities are also victims of the Juvenile Justice System as well as any Justice System . The NCLR , the largest national Latino civil rights organization , commends Building Blocks for Youth Initiative for Est issuing a Call to Action on Behalf of the Latino and Latina Youth in the U .S . juvenile justice system " the largest national Latino civil rights organization , commends Building Blocks for Youth Initiative for issuing A Call to Action on Behalf of the Latino and Latina Youth in the U .S juvenile justice system (Arboleda

It is not just Hispanics who suffer in today 's Justice System , but all minorities . The plight of African American youth is the worse Nationwide , African-Americans represent 15 of the population , 26 of juvenile arrests , 44 of youth who are detained , 46 of the youth who are judicially waived to criminal court , and 58 of the youth admitted to state prisons (Disproportionate Minority Confinement ) Prejudices and poverty have kept minorities at a disadvantage for years . That is why the Juvenile Justice System is a positive force in our country . If minorities were not under the laws of Juvenile Justice , they could end up in prison for years or the rest of their lives even though they were victims of...

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