1. CJA/204: Introduction to Criminal Justice
Week 5 Presentation

2. Criminal Law And Juveniles
The Intersection of Youth and Criminal Justice

3. Juvenile Court Jurisdiction

4. Delinquency
A delinquent child is the same as an adult who has been convicted of a crime
Instead of using the word criminal the word delinquent is used
Similarly, instead of a criminal trial a delinquency hearing is initiated
NOTE: Those under the age of 18 who are charged as adults face the adult criminal justice system (i.e. criminal trial and not a delinquency proceeding)

5. Status Offenses
A specific type of offense that only a juvenile can commit.
Some are criminal in nature and can result in delinquency
I.e. minor in possession of cigarettes, pornography, etc.
Some are non-criminal in nature and in some states (like Arizona) result not in delinquency but incorrigibility
I.e. running away from home, being truant from school
Non-criminal penalties are imposed and no criminal record is created

6. Four Major Differences between Juvenile and Adult Courts

7. Initiation of proceedings
Adults face criminal complaints that require a probable cause determination
Juveniles face petitions of delinquency that offer require lower burdens of proof
Adults face proceedings that are open to the public
Juveniles face proceeds that may be closed to the public

8. HEARINGS vs. TRIALS
Adults facing criminal charges are entitled to a trial
This gives them many procedural and substantive rights such as
Right to a jury
Rights of criminal procedure
Also, rights against unreasonable searches and seizures as well as assumption of innocence until proven guilty
Juveniles facing criminal charges are NOT entitled to a trial but a hearing
No right to a jury
More limited rules of procedure
Limited rights against unreasonable searches and seizures
No right to “innocent until proven guilty” … focus is on best interests of child

9. GUILT vs. Delinquent If convicted adults are found guilty
Criminal convictions are public record
Determination of knowledge and some intent to commit crime
If convicted juveniles are found to be delinquent
Delinquency determinations are rarely public record
There is no finding of an intent to commit a crime but instead only that the juvenile was competent

10. Sentence vs. disposition
The difference is DISCRETION, DISCRETION, DISCRETION!
Adults convicted of crimes face a sentence by a judge
Judges have little discretion in sentencing adults due to sentencing laws that limit the choices available to judges
Juveniles found to be delinquent face a disposition
Judges have a tremendous amount of discretion
Sentences to juvenile detention centers are rarely mandatory
Juvenile detention centers are quite different than prisons
All sentences focus very much on rehabilitation and treating the juvenile and not on punishment

11. Variables that Correlate with Juvenile Crime Rates

12. Drug and Alcohol Abuse
This is the fastest growing category of juveniles offenders
Consider this:
Why is this the fastest growing category? Why does it correlate with greater juvenile crime rates?

13. SOCIOECONOMIC STATUS
Juveniles in economically depressed areas are found delinquent at higher rates
This corresponds with the other variables:
Lower rates of two parent homes
Lower quality educational opportunities through the public school system
Lower rates of upward mobility
Higher college drop out rates

14. What do you notice about these variables?
They are the exact same variables that correlate with adult crime rates
Consider this:
If the variables that correlate with juvenile crime rates correspond with the variables that correlate with adult crime rates, what does that tell us about what needs to be done to combat crime?