16.3 Juvenile Crime Pgs

Defining Juvenile Crime Juvenile- In NC, a juvenile is anyone who has not yet reached his/her 16 th birthday Juvenile Delinquent (offender)- someone under the age of 16 who repeatedly violates the law In 2002, 18% of all criminal arrests were under the age of 18 –Arson –Larceny

Possible Causes of Juvenile Delinquency Textbook Answer –Poor home conditions- absentee parents, parents are criminals, drug users, alcoholics, exposed to violent behavior –Poor neighborhood conditions- poor areas have more crime –Gang Membership –Dropping out of school –Unemployment –Alcohol and drugs –Peer Pressure

Possible Causes of Juvenile Delinquency (cont.) Simple Answer –Greed –Abuse –Neglect –Boredom –Poverty –Drugs –Mental illness –The unknown

Dealing with Juvenile Offenders There are steps that must be followed: 1. Juvenile Petition (someone files) 2. Parents Notified 3. Two options –1. Sent Home to await court date –2. Juvenile Detention to await court date 4. Court

Juvenile Courts Goal of the Juvenile Court: –REHABILITATION Guiding Principle: –Do what’s best for the juvenile Handles two types of cases: –1. Neglect- court has power to place children in foster homes –2. Delinquency- involves cases where children commit crimes; also, offenses that aren’t considered illegal like running away or truancy (skipping school)

The Juvenile Court System Hearings involve the accused, parents, lawyers, social worker, police officers, probation officer, etc. –LESS FORMAL THAN A TRIAL Hearings are closed to the public except those involved in the case Sentence—judge decides if accused is “delinquent” or “non-delinquent” Criminal records are kept from the public and sealed until the juvenile’s 18 th birthday Not photographed or fingerprinted upon arrest

Supreme Court Case- In RE Gault The 1967 court case In RE Gault set the rights for juveniles: –Parents/guardians of juveniles must be notified upon arrest and must be present during questioning –Juveniles and their parents must be notified in writing regarding the nature of the charges –Juveniles have the right to an attorney –Juveniles have the right to call or confront witnesses

Punishment for Juveniles 1. Stern Lecture 2. Counseling 3. Community Service 4. Juvenile Detention 5. Become wards of the court –Court assumes custody until their 18 th birthday and juvenile lives in foster car 6. Probation- can live at home and go to school as long as they obey the law

Treating Juveniles as Adults Most courts try juveniles that have committed a felony as an adult at the age of 14 –If not, the child would be in juvenile detention until the age of 18 and released –Is that fair for a 16 year-old to commit murder and serve a two year sentence? So, trying a juvenile as an adult leads to a longer sentence

Avoiding Trouble 1. JUST SAY “NO!” 2. Stay in school! 3. Avoid peer pressure. Have a backbone and say NO when you know you should. 4. Stay busy with good activities!