| Cases and Resources
Chapter
16: Juvenile Justice
History
and Overview of Juvenile Courts
Who Is a Juvenile?
Status Offenses
Juvenile Justice Today
History
and Overview of Juvenile Courts
Juvenile
Justice: A Century of Change
Explore this Web site, hosted by the Office of Juvenile Justice
and Delinquency Prevention, that reviews the history of the
juvenile justice system as well as the effectiveness of reducing
juvenile crimes.
The
Nature of the Court Today
This article explains the juvenile justice system today, the
types of offenders handled by the courts, and what types of
sentences exist.
Term
Definitions
Learn the definitions and examples of terms used in the juveniles justice system.
Juvenile
Crime Reports and Statistics
This index of different reports and statistics on juvenile
crime is a great place to begin research or get a larger picture
of the prevalence of juvenile crime.
When
Teenagers Are in Trouble
This site has an extensive list of links to resources on the
juvenile justice system, a full glossary of terms and definitions,
and articles on issues associated with juvenile justice.
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Who
Is a Juvenile?
Federal
Government Policy
The federal government toughened its policy on juvenile justice in the late 1990s. Why do you think there was an increased effort to pass harsher laws against juvenile criminal offenders? Do you agree that this stance was the correct way to handle juvenile crime?
Kids
Tried as Adults
Read this news story by The Washington Post about the
increasing numbers of children in Maryland being tried as adults.
Juvenile
Delinquents in the Federal Criminal System
Analyze statistics and reports on the characteristics of juvenile
delinquents in the federal criminal system.
Juvenile Crime Control Act of 1997
This act would make it easier for courts to waive juveniles
into adult courts. Read the full
text of the current federal law on juvenile crime,
the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act.
Trying
Juveniles as Adults in Criminal Court
Explore this in-depth report of states’ practices in
waiving juveniles into adult criminal court for trial.
Adult
Trial of Teen Sniper Suspect
Read the Court TV article regarding the teenage suspect in
the Washington, D.C.-area sniper shootings. The suspect will
be tried as an adult, though he is legally a juvenile. Why
was this decision made?
Office
of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Program
Visit the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Program’s
Web site to learn more about governmental efforts, statistics,
and information on juvenile justice.
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Status
Offenses
Juvenile
Justice Success Report
This federal government report reviews and evaluates the Juvenile
Justice Delinquency Prevention Act of 1974 and methods
of alternative treatment for juvenile offenders and status
offenders.
National
Runaway Switchboard
This national organization provides information and assistance
to juvenile runaways. Look through the site to learn more
and discover ways you can help.
Status
Offense Cases
Examine significant points and characteristics of status offenders.
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Juvenile
Justice Today
Juvenile
Justice: An Overview
Read FindLaw’s overview of juvenile justice.
Libertarian
Rock
Explore a Web site that opposes teen curfews in cities around
the world and in the United States. Read the articles on this
page and decide if you agree that teen curfews are unconstitutional.
Teen
Curfew: Sonoma, California
Read a news story describing the struggle among town residents
over the curfew laws in Sonoma, California. Consider the arguments
of all positions.
In
re Gault
Read a summary of the Supreme Court case holding that juvenile
delinquents should receive some of the same due process rights
of adults. From this page, link to the full text of the decision
or listen to the oral arguments.
In
re Winship
Read a summary of the Supreme Court case holding that juvenile
defendants must be found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt,
just as adult defendants must be. From this page, link to
the full text of the decision or listen to the oral arguments.
McKeiver
v. Pennsylvania
Read the full text of the Supreme Court opinion holding that
jury trials are not required in juvenile cases.
Office
of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention
Established by the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention
Act of 1974, this federal agency is created to fight
juvenile crime. Take a closer look at what the office does
and the types of power given to the office.
Teenage
Boot Camps
Learn about teenage boot camps for delinquent teens and whether
these treatment options are effective. This site offers warnings
and tips on choosing a boot camp.
Tracking
a Case Through Juvenile Court
The procedures in a juvenile court are not the same as those
in adult courts. Review an online chart of how a juvenile
case typically flows through the system.
Procedural
Statistics
Examine statistics (from 1997) associated with each stage
of the juvenile justice system procedure.
OJJDP
Fact Sheets
Explore fact sheets concerning all aspects of the juvenile
justice system.
Thompson
v. Oklahoma
Read the full opinion by the Supreme Court in the fate of
William Wayne Thompson, a 15-year-old murderer.
National
Center for Youth Law
This site offers articles and advocacy for issues relating
to young people and the law. Read about homelessness, family
situations, issues in specific states, child support and benefits,
and many other topics regarding youth and the law.
Youth
Law Center
Explore this site dedicated to servicing youth looking for
a permanent and safe home. What does this organization do
to help young people in need?
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