Sections V & VI

The Juvenile Court Process  1. Based on your reading, what factors do you believe might explain the disproportionate representation of Black youth in U.S. juvenile courts?  What juvenile justice policy changes or special programs would you recommend to address this issue?

The Juvenile Court Process  2. What are some arguments for and against all juveniles having defense counsel in court? Should juveniles who are committed to a correctional institution be able to waive their right to counsel? Why, or why not?

The Juvenile Court Process  3. Is it surprising that juveniles who are represented by a defense attorney often get harsher punishments than juveniles without an attorney?  Based on the readings, what are some possible reasons for that research finding?

The Juvenile Court Process  4. If a lawmaker in your state introduced legislation to abolish the juvenile court and try juveniles in adult court with a “youth discount” during sentencing, how would you argue for or against the proposal?

Juvenile Corrections  1. Based on the available research, what do you see as the strengths and limitations of juvenile institutions and residential placement?  What types of juvenile offenders are most appropriate for those facilities and placements?

Juvenile Corrections  2. As a new probation officer, you are assigned a beginning caseload of 30 juvenile offenders, ranging from first-time offenders with single occurrences of property offenses or drug violations, to second- and third-time offenders with several prior arrests and some history of probation violations.  What probation officer roles are you likely to use with various types of offenders?

Juvenile Corrections  3. Imagine you have been appointed to your State Youth Commission, and the governor has asked for recommendations for the “best practices” that have shown effectiveness in juvenile corrections.  List the five most important points you would offer.

Section V & VI Articles

Origins of the Juvenile Court  What are some of the expectations that guided the first Juvenile Courts?

The Punitive Juvenile Court and the Quality of Procedural Justice  Are juvenile offenders entitled to counsel in juvenile delinquency proceedings? If so do they consistently receive appropriate legal counsel?

Factors Perceived to Affect Delinquent Dispositions in Juvenile Court  What was the research design and methodology for this study? What were the findings?

Race, Legal Representation and Juvenile Justice  According to this study, does the type/presence of counsel vary by the 'race' of the juvenile?

Reexamining Community Corrections Models  What are the Three Models of Community Corrections?

The Impact of Boot Camps and Traditional Institutions on Juvenile Residents  In your opinion, is the Boot Camp Model effective? Why? Why not??

The Next Generation of Prisoners  What are some factors affecting the onset and continuance of juvenile violence?

Adolescent and Teenage Offenders Confronting the Challenges and Opportunities of Reentry  What are the factors that may complicate reentry for teen offenders?