Delinqency and Juvenile Crime

Juvenile Delinquency and Juvenile Crime Article

CJA/204

March 30, 2015

Charles McClelland

Juvenile Delinquency and Juvenile Crime Article

        In today’s society, the juvenile justice system has taken a driver seat to the 21st century of crime activities. The crime rate is at an all time high and seems to be getting worse every year. From juvenile offenses to court proceedings to juveniles being prosecuted as adults. Is there a cure or will it continues to rise?   

What is a delinquency and status offense?

        Today's juveniles are being faced with peer pressures that have those making decisions that come with consequences that put them in detention centers or jail.  Take for example today's Juvenile delinquents have gotten away with crimes which has allowed them to commit wrongful acts that are illegal and displaying immoral behavior that is not accepted by the law or today’s society. Now Status offenses can only be committed of doing wrong when they are a minor that is chargeable of doing wrongful acts. These restrictions placed on minors are to help them stay in school as well as reminded them that there are curfews they most follow. It also is a prevention to help miners avoid becoming addicted to cigarettes, alcohol and other illegal drugs.

Comparison between juvenile and adult courts

        Juvenile court is a court that holds hearing for individuals who have not reached a specific age 18. There are several differences between juvenile and adult court. The first is there is no jury; a judge makes a decision solely on if laws were broken and what the punishment will be. Another is probation; minors are placed on probation for a longer period of time then adults. Terminology also defers between juvenile and adult courts. Examples of this are; verdicts are referred to as adjudication and a bail hearing are called a detention hearing since minors do not get bail.

Variables that correlate with juvenile crime rates

        There is no on single variable that contributes to the delinquency of juveniles. Within our society delinquency is one of the major problems, along with drug use, which is a big contributor to juvenile delinquency. Other variables are lack of discipline, dysfunctional family life, negative influences of peers, influence of crime within the neighborhood, abuse and neglect, hyperactivity and failure in school ("Program of Research on the Causes and Correlates of Delinquency", 1998).  Although there are children who face these risk factors, they are not guaranteed to become delinquents. There is not a clear cut reason for this or why children fall into the life of crime.