Juvenile justice system essay

Juvenile delinquency may include a variety of criminal activities such as shoplifting, truancy, gang affiliation, vandalism and assault. Studies show that the risk factors related to juvenile delinquency are poverty, family structure and living environment. The most common factor is a lack of parental supervision or guidance for young people who find themselves in difficult situations and without appropriate coping skills or resources.

Research shows that juvenile delinquents often feel alienated from school or have difficulty fitting into their peer groups. They also tend to have low self-esteem which leads them to look for acceptance from delinquent peers rather than focus on academic achievement.

Programs aimed at preventing this type of behavior should address these underlying issues instead of solely focusing on punishment after a crime has already been committed.

In court, status offenders are usually given a probationary period with conditions. Depending on the offense, they may be required to receive counseling and/or perform community service hours. If it is their first offense or something minor like running away, they will most likely not be incarcerated unless there are significantly more serious offenses that go along with it.

The focus of the courts when dealing with juvenile status offenders is rehabilitation rather than punishment in order to prevent future delinquent behavior that may occur.

The court system is then responsible for providing a fair and just hearing. During this process, the juvenile offender will be given an opportunity to explain their actions. It is also at this time that any mitigating factors can be presented.

The court must also consider if there are any rehabilitative measures that may benefit the juvenile offender in question. This could include psychological counseling or supervised probation among others depending on the severity of the offense committed by them.

In the worst-case scenario, if a juvenile is declared guilty of their crime or act, they may be placed in juvenile detention centers. This can vary from state to state, as some states have laws that would limit the time juveniles are allowed to stay in those facilities.

Other options for these types of cases can include using house arrest through an ankle monitor or probation with a parole officer. Depending on the level of severity, the court may also impose more serious punitive measures such as rehabilitation programs and extreme punishments like jail time or even prison sentences where applicable.

If the minor is not a repeat offender, they have two other options: diversion or informal probation. Diversion is typically used for those with no prior criminal record and involves completion of an educational program or community service designed to help them make better decisions in the future.

Informal probation allows minors to continue living with their families while under close supervision; this generally includes regular meetings with a social worker or probation officer, counseling services, and/or drug testing if needed.

Regardless of which option is chosen, it’s important that parents are involved throughout the process. They can provide emotional support as well as access to resources such as mental health professionals and legal counsel. Furthermore, research has shown that parental involvement leads to more successful outcomes for juveniles who find themselves in trouble with the law than those who do not have any family involvement at all.