Juvenile OffendersJuvenile Offenders

PurposePurpose

• What is the purpose of the JO system?

Differences Between the Adult Differences Between the Adult and Juvenile Systemsand Juvenile Systems

What are the most significant differences between the juvenile and adult CJ systems?

Why IS This?Why IS This?

• Belief that immaturity diminishes responsibility• Punishment Unjustified

• Belief that young offenders are more amenable to TX

Why IS This?Why IS This?

• Belief that immaturity diminishes responsibility• Punishment Unjustified

• Stabbing, 17X, Bent Knife, “You ell me..”

• Belief that young offenders are more amenable to TX

CBC Use CBC Use

CBC Use CBC Use

The Juvenile Justice System uses CBC programs more than the adult system.

Why IS ThatWhy IS That

Unlike the adult system,

Similarity To Adult SystemSimilarity To Adult System

Similar to the adult system,

Juvenile ProbationJuvenile Probation

• Informal Probation

• Probation (AKA: Formal Probation)

Serious CrimeSerious Crime

• Unfortunately, a small number of JOs commit the majority of serious juvenile crime.

JO ViolenceJO Violence

Why is JO violence increasing when crime as a whole is declining?

Does Crime Pay?Does Crime Pay?

It is not unusual for a smart, enterprising high school dropout to make $2,000 per week.

When really smart, the car, home and other assets are in their significant other’s name.

Most Common Jo CrimeMost Common Jo Crime

What are the most common JO crimes?

JO Crime GenerallyJO Crime Generally

JOs Commit:– 29% fo Serious Crime– 33% of Property Crime– 18% of Violent Crime

JOs and Drug TXJOs and Drug TX

Different from the adult system, JOs have the requirement for academic education.

Restitution and Community Restitution and Community ServiceService

• Restorative Justice• Makes JO Feel Part of the Community• Develops a Sense of Accomplishment• Provides a Sense of Closure• Develops a Sense of Responsibility

Restitution ProblemRestitution Problem

Most JOs are unemployed.

Employment Impact On CrimeEmployment Impact On Crime

Does JO employment impact crime?

Urban Delinquency And SAUrban Delinquency And SA

Males enter serious delinquency patterns from 3 behavioral pathways.

Urban Delinquency And SAUrban Delinquency And SA

Males enter serious delinquency patterns from 3 behavioral pathways.

1. Early Authority Conflict Prior to Age 12

Urban Delinquency And SAUrban Delinquency And SA

Males enter serious delinquency patterns from 3 behavioral pathways.

2. Covert Pathway

Urban Delinquency And SAUrban Delinquency And SA

Males enter serious delinquency patterns from 3 behavioral pathways.

3. Overt Pathway

Predicting DelinquencyPredicting Delinquency

Can we gauge the likelihood of a JO engaging in serious delinquency?

High Correlates To JO CrimeHigh Correlates To JO Crime

Juvenile CourtJuvenile Court

Juvenile cases are most often dealt with in Juvenile Court.

Some cases, based on the seriousness of the offense, are referred directly to Circuit Court regardless of the JOs age.

VA Court System OverviewVA Court System Overview

• General District Court• Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court• Circuit Court• Court of Appeals• Virginia Supreme Court

VA Court System OverviewVA Court System Overview

• General District Court

VA Court System OverviewVA Court System Overview

• Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court

VA Court System OverviewVA Court System Overview

• Circuit Court

VA Court System OverviewVA Court System Overview

• Court of Appeals

VA Court System OverviewVA Court System Overview

• Supreme Court of Virginia

JO ProcessingJO Processing

• Intake• Detention• Adjudication• Disposition

JO ProcessingJO Processing

• Intake (Initial Screening)

JO ProcessingJO Processing

• Detention

JO ProcessingJO Processing

• Adjudication

JO ProcessingJO Processing

Disposition

Community Alternatives to Community Alternatives to DetentionDetention

• Home Detention• Similar to Pre-Trial Release

• Temporary Shelters• Foster Care, Group Homes

School Related ProblemsSchool Related Problems

Alternative Schools– Special Ed., Counseling

Traditional Schools– Reduced Teaching Load, Probation-Like

Supervision

Unique ProgramsUnique Programs

Wilderness Programs– Opportunity for Success– Pride– Cooperation– Self-Worth,– Learn to Trust Others

AdministrationAdministration

• Can Be Local Or State Run• Can Have Separate Intake and Supervision

Duties

CaseloadsCaseloads

What is the average juvenile system PO caseload?

AftercareAftercare

• JO Aftercare (AKA: Juvenile Parole)

Re-Entry ProgramsRe-Entry Programs

• Re-entry programs are needed.• JOs have many of the same problems as adults.• Problems are compounded by adolescence.

Juvenile Court DebateJuvenile Court Debate

• Should Juvenile Courts be restructured?• Critics:

• Should Only Deal With Criminal Cases• Impose Longer Sentences on Serious Offenders

• Supporters:• Say Age Minimizes Culpability• Say JOs Are More Amenable to TX

EffectivenessEffectiveness

Does Juvenile probation work?

CriticismsCriticisms

• Criticisms of the Juvenile Court System

• CBCs too often supplement rather than replace confinement (Net Widening).

• Functions to control rather than to therapeutically aid.

Future TrendsFuture Trends

Future Trends in Juvenile CBC