juvenile justice and deliquency

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Juvenile Justice and Delinquency

A Clearer Picture of Juvenile Delinquency

The number of juvenile offenders incarcerated for violence and habitual offending has seen a dramatic increase during the past five years in the United States . According to the Census Office , it is estimated that the population of juveniles will increase by 20 from 1990 to 2010 . In Minnesota alone , it is projected that the growth of juvenile offenders belonging to the 14-17 year old bracket would be 60 in the next fifteen years . Even

if the number of arrests would not increases , the number of crimes will still reflect a dramatic increase in the next two decades (Backstrom , 1-30

It is interesting to note that although the United States only comprise 5 of the world 's population , its prison facilities has 25 of global prisoners . On February 2000 , the number of inmates in the United States climbed to 2 million , according to figures released by the Justice Policy Institute , which has already doubled in just ten years . At present , 16 states have populations that are lower than the number of inmates in US prison facilities (Backstrom , 1-30

Since 1992 , many American states have implemented stringent laws regarding criminal accountability of youth offenders . This was bared by a report published by the National Center for Juvenile Justice . From 1998 to 2002 , 18 states have stretched the number of offenses that can elevate a juvenile to adult courts (Backstrom , 1-30

The Establishment of Juvenile Courts

The first Juvenile Court was established in Cook County , Illinois upon the enactment of the Juvenile Court Act of 1899 . This was based on the premise that the failure of the parents to supervise their children is a ground for the state to interfere . The efforts of Illinois was imitated by other states . By 1925 , most of the states had their own juvenile courts . Compared to their adult counterparts , juvenile courts utilized a rehabilitative approach instead of punitive approach . Juvenile courts had jurisdiction over youth offenders . However , the adult courts can take over if the juvenile court waives their right over the juvenile (Backstrom , 1-30

In 2003 , the number of youth offenders arrested for certain offenses is 2 .2 million . From this number , 32 belong to the 15 years and below age bracket . Most of the youth offenders apprehended committed crimes against property while some arrests were due to violent crimes specifically assault (Backstrom , 1-30

According to the OJJDP Statistical Briefing Book , juvenile offenders accounted for 16 ojf overall arrests in 2003 (Backstrom , 1-30

Determining The Best Method of Deterring Crimes

For many crime experts , this is a favorable scenario since the United States is a haven of the most violent criminals among developed nations According to reports by the U .S . Department of Justice , murder is six times greater in the United States than in England . Proponents of incarceration believe that extended incarceration is the best method of securing the public from criminal elements . According to economist Steve Levitt , an additional 15...