Juvenile Crime

Abstract

Law enforcement's goals are to protect individuals and communities. Juvenile crime has become one aspect and responsibility of police officers around the country. Juveniles are getting involved in the criminal world more and more, consequently forcing the government to take measures to now deal with higher rates of juvenile crime. Trying juveniles as adults and sentencing them to imprisonment with adults may do more harm than good in that they will learn more criminal behavior by associating with hardened criminals in prison. The long-term solution to the problem of juvenile crime falls largely outside of the law enforcement system. It requires strengthening those basic institutions - the family, schools, religious institutions, and community groups - that are responsible for instilling values and creating law-abiding citizens.

Before juvenile courts were established in the United States, juvenile offenders were treated the same as an adult offender. They were subject to the same laws, punishments, and treatment by police. Before juvenile courts, juveniles, under the age of 7, were not responsible for criminal behavior based on the thought they were not capable of criminal intent. By the early 1900's the juvenile justice system and juvenile courts had been created. During the early years of the juvenile justice system, police departments began hiring female officers because of the stereotype that women had a natural maternal role and would be better dealing with juveniles than that of male officers. A big change for the way juvenile offenders were treated came with the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act of 1974. Now federal and state laws usually limit the time that police can detain and hold a juvenile. Although laws vary from state to state, many police practices are restricted when it comes to dealing with juvenile offenders. Many states have per se attorney laws which require that a juvenile be represented by a lawyer in all of the critical phases.

For young offenders, law enforcement is often the entry point into the juvenile justice system. In the United States, there are growing numbers of juveniles now involved in acts of crime. This has become a large epidemic for our country and is affecting our nation as a whole. Police today realize what a problem this has become and are aware that juveniles need protection. Police departments around the country now have juvenile crime units that only handle juvenile offenders and victims to be sure those children are receiving specialized attention. These departments not only work with cases of juvenile crime and investigation but also with schools, social services, child welfare services, and organizations that focus on keeping juveniles out of the criminal justice system (Grant & Terry, 2008). Most juvenile units exist to investigate crimes; however there is an increasing amount of time and resources that police spend on youth education and prevention programs.

Prevention for juvenile crime focuses on several areas and key components. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, the need for intervention comes long before their initial contact with the juvenile justice system (Howell, 1995). Most states struggle with having the appropriate types of programs available, rehabilitation and prevention, to help juveniles either from reoffending or committing the crime to start with. Research done on juvenile crime and delinquency prevention shows that programs have a positive effect on juveniles and the community, this in comparison with the costs due to violent crimes by juveniles or habitual offenders. Programs that have been proven to work with juveniles have been peer mediation, mentoring relationships, and community services for juveniles. Many of the juvenile crime units have become active in such programs as Drug Abuse Resistance Education, also known as D.A.R.E. and Gang Resistance Education and Training, also known as GREAT. D.A.R.E. focuses on teaching young children how to avoid becoming involved in drugs, gangs, and violence. GREAT puts officers in classrooms with today's youth to discuss with them the negative impact gang involvement will have on their lives. The study, titled Diverting Children from a Life of Crime: Measuring the Costs and Benefits, found that programs aimed at helping juvenile offenders before they become repeat felons may be a more cost-effective approach to reducing crime than the "three-strikes-and-you're-out" sentencing laws that have become so popular in recent years (RAND, 1996). Two different themes are considered in recent state actions in prevention of juvenile crime and delinquency. One being, promoting a community based, public/private sector response to juvenile delinquency to source funding and the second being utilizing school based programs and activities to teach prevention initiatives (Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention [OJJDP], 1994-1996). Of course in all reality, prevention starts with early detection and healthy living environments. Parents of youth have the most influence and ability to reduce the percentage in juvenile crime and delinquency.

Juvenile courts have jurisdiction over all acts of delinquency. Juvenile delinquency is any behavior that is forbidden by juvenile law of each state. Not all states apply the same laws to juveniles; therefore each legislature defines what delinquency is for that state. In most states juvenile delinquency in generalized into two categories. One, is delinquency is an act committed by a juvenile that would be a crime if committed by an adult. These acts include crimes such as theft, burglary,