Juvenile Delinquency Prevention

Juvenile Delinquent Prevention

A Juvenile delinquent is described as a juvenile who has been adjudicated by a juvenile court to have committed a delinquent act. Juvenile court can be a second chance for minors that have made mistakes against the law; it can give minors a chance to correct their ways and become a successful adult. The United States established a juvenile system in the early 1900's. The cause of juvenile's actions seems to be caused by the environment that they were raised in and live in rather than a choice. Juvenile court focuses on helping reduce crimes immediately as well as in the future when these minors become adults. "From this came theory, came the idea that punishment should be tailored to fit the offender. Therefore, the concept of juvenile delinquency relied on the idea of rehabilitation rather than retribution". Delinquent (2002).

These courts are here to correct juvenile delinquents before it is too late. If a mistake is not corrected, minors will keep making trouble and more problems may occur. The court asks "what is the best interest of the child"? The court encourages the natural parent to be responsible for upholding the suggested intervention. In some cases the court will rely upon the juvenile system to monitor the juvenile progress. It is easier to correct a minor at an early age because they have not matured and are still very impressionable. By holding the juvenile responsible for their own actions and by encouraging that they accept the consequences for their actions, this will aide in the rehabilitation of this juvenile. Delinquent (2002).

From the 60s the general image of a juvenile delinquent was of a troubled, foolish minor who had the opportunity to turn their life around through intervention and rehabilitation. By the 70s the number of minors committing serious crimes of violence changed in what most called a cold-blooded, unethical young person. Many people starting speaking against juvenile courts, saying they were sending the wrong message to juveniles, labeling them as delinquent rather than criminals. The people believe that a court ruling rather than intervention and rehabilitation is appropriate for a serious crime. The people believe that each case should be treated as individuals and the punishment should fit the offence. Legislatures have replied by forcing serious crimes out of the juvenile court into the adult criminal court. Delinquent (2002).

Reference:

Delinquent. (2002). In World of Criminal Justice, Gale. Retrieved from

http://www.credoreference.com/entry/worldcrims/delinquent