In 1994 and now numbering about 1,200, volunteer youth sentence their peers. These youth courts, which have reduced recidivism and enhanced a healthier attitude toward regulations and authority by young offenders, offer communities a way to provide immediate consequences for first-time offenders and a peer-operated sentencing mechanism (Peterson, 2009)
In 1957, Fritz Redl and David Wineman (as cited in Vander Ven, 2009) wrote about another approach in their book, the Aggressive Child, which proved to be much more successful at their juvenile residence Pioneer House. However, for various reasons, their methodology never received much of a following (Vander Ven, 2009)
S. Department of Justice in New Jersey, while 10% of white juveniles were adjudicated and sentenced for their first-degree offenses, more than 31% of African-American juveniles received sentences for the same crimes; white juvenile offenders were similarly found to receive lesser sentences than African-Americans in the state of Florida (Drakeford & Garfinkle 2000)
As well as being disproportionately represented in the juvenile population, African-Americans also make up a higher percentage of juveniles arrested for delinquency and a higher proportion of high school dropouts. They make up 15% of the juvenile population but account for 45% of delinquency cases involving detention (Morrison & Epps 2002)
Thus, it is extremely essential to invest time and money both in minimizing this dilemma. According to several researchers, early intervention programs are one of the best remedial measures in reducing juvenile delinquency (Araki et
The core goal of juvenile court is not to sentence the offender into prison, yet it aims at proper intervention and rehabilitation of the child, as children are not treated like hardened criminals in juvenile courts (Wallace & Roberson, 2012). Juvenile justice courts provide proper counseling courses for children developing a positive attitude and a sense of accountability in them (Bartollas & Miller, 2008)
Community Based Interventions Community-based improvements in slum and squatter settlements possess sufficient potential of preventing children from living on the streets and help reintegrate them into their neighborhoods. This fosters optimistic self-appraisal and positive attitudes among young children, eventually refraining them from delinquent acts (Walker & Morgan, 2009)
Juvenile justice courts are established with three core aims revolving around rehabilitation, accountability and intervention. The core goal of juvenile court is not to sentence the offender into prison, yet it aims at proper intervention and rehabilitation of the child, as children are not treated like hardened criminals in juvenile courts (Wallace & Roberson, 2012)
That leaves them vulnerable to their mental health problems and to the suggestions of peers who may also be struggling with mental illness. Some mental disorders are very benign, but others have much more serious implications (Zigler, Taussig, & Black, 1992)
Such issues include the formation of personality, psychological aspects of development, adolescent response to the social environment and changes, and many other social forces that define the emotional and cognitive relationships and behavior of juveniles. Sexual offending is defined as "any sexual interaction(s) of any age that is perpetrated (a) against the victim's will, (b) without consent, or (c) in an aggressive, exploitative, manipulative, or threatening manner" (Ryan, Leversee, & Lane, 2010, p
The multisystem therapy targets these interactions with the purpose of fixing any cracks that negatively influence the juvenile. The program places an emphasis on "home-based, family-focused services that are intensive, time-limited, and goal-oriented" (Smallbone, Marshall, & Wortley, 2008, p
Juvenile females are also likely to sexually offend their acquaintances and relatives than young male sexual delinquents. Another study looking at the cases of 67 female juvenile sex offenders and 70 male juvenile sex offenders found that the most notable difference was the female offenders' past victimization (Vandiver & Teske, 2006; Rightland & Welch, 2001)
Juvenile sex offenders who victimized their younger siblings reported to have significantly greater levels of parental rejection, negative family atmosphere, dissatisfaction with family relationships, and parental physical discipline. They were also more likely to have been sexually offended in their childhood than offenders who targeted non-sibling children (Worling, 1995)
Parents are supposed to mold the kids, when this fails, the environment does, and the environment molds them using the hardest way. When parents cannot provide, the kids are to fend for themselves, they can only do so by stealing or engaging in prostitution (Dembo, Williams, Wish, Getereu, Washburn & Scmeidler, 1990)
In the 19th century, invention of adolescence came with age grading responsibilities. There emerged a separation between youths and adults, subsequently social and legal structures emerged with state and youth interests at aim (Gary, John, Norman, & Christopher, 2007, p
Psychologists argue that delinquency is a reaction from the youth crying foul of neglect, and taking the juveniles through a legal system will only make matters worse. Juveniles are being involved in robberies, prostitution, and general criminal activities (John & Jiangmin, 2002)
So long as these problems are unsolved or controlled, the juveniles continue with criminal activities even after they are out of the juvenile justice system. The goal of the system becomes hard to accomplish (Henggeler, Rodick, Borduin, Hanson, Watson & Urey, 1986)
This is sentencing in the adult criminal court system. Disposition determines what the sanction the court will have on the juvenile (Hecker & Steinberg, 2002)
In this case, the parent of the child placed under the juvenile justice system, and the child are in for evaluation. Such an evaluation aims at verifying whether the parent is in any way involved for delinquency in their children (Beverly, 2011)
environmental conditions is controversial, however with an estimated range of 50% and 90% influence of genetics upon delinquent behavior vs. environment (Beaver et al