Juvenile Justice System In this paper I will be discussing Juvenile Crime and Delinquency in the United States.

I will focus on the laws pertaining to juvenile crime and delinquency and some of the causes that have led juveniles to commit crimes. Also, I will discuss situations where juveniles can be tried as an adult and face adult penalties for the crime committed. Statistics will be presented pertaining to some of the more recognized crimes committed by juveniles. I will go into detail of who is responsible for juveniles and what can be done to prevent juveniles from continuing a life of crime. In the United States, there are a growing number 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. Juveniles are defined as a person under the age of 18; however this definition varies from state to state. All states have set age limits to determine juveniles from adults; however juveniles can be considered an adult for more serious crimes. Most states transfer cases from juvenile courts to criminal courts when juveniles are being tried as adults for more serious crimes, such as robbery and murder. These crimes are subject to harsher punishments including prison sentences. 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. Laws were created for juveniles in hope of protecting and rehabilitating them before adulthood. Juvenile crime differs from that of juvenile delinquency. Delinquency is considered to be acts less than crime such as truancy or deviant behavior. Juveniles hold a higher percentage in minor crimes including vandalism, shoplifting, underage drinking, and the abuse of drugs.

The crimes committed by juveniles and the reasons why juveniles commit such acts have been studied for many decades. Between 1976 and 1996, juveniles living in poverty rose 42% and that of crime also grew this only proving that the economic background and geographical location of a child could play a role in their criminal activity. It has been proven that up to 40% of males that live and are raised in urban areas of the United States will be arrested before the age of 18. Studies have also shown that poverty plays a role in delinquent behavior. Other factors including maltreatment and mental health disorders also play a role in delinquent behavior (Gerard & Buehler, 2004). Child abuse and neglect in our country are on an uprising growth, which could also explain the growing numbers in juvenile crimes. Delinquent peer groups and influence, substance abuse and the availability of such, the exposure to violence through media and video games all play a role in this growing problem of juvenile crime. Alcohol and drug use among juveniles is an important issue throughout our community and throughout society as a whole. Research conducted by numerous organizations has indicated an increasing use and dependency of alcohol and drugs by juveniles over recent decades. Home environment, being an important part in the outcome and behavior of children, is also a huge factor. Children subjected to violence in their own home, criminal behavior by their parents, inappropriate discipline at the hands of their caretakers, have more vulnerability to become delinquent. The United States, in this decade, has a higher rate of children growing up in broken homes, where only one parent is present. With the parent having to work and provide for their child, this leaves less time for parent and child involvement. Curiosity plays a large role in a childs development. Less time with guidance due to lack of parent involvement will only leave more unsupervised time for the child. In turn, time for the child to explore and become involved in criminal behavior is only the

obvious. Also, frustration in school accounts for juvenile delinquency. In 2006, nearly 6.2 million or 16% of high school students had dropped out (CNN, 2009). In 2006, juveniles were involved in 13% of all violent crimes in the United States. More specifically, 6% of murders, 12% of forcible rapes, 17% of robberies, and 12% of aggravated assaults (Snyder, 2006). By 2008, there was a rise in almost every crime committed by a person under the age of 18. Juveniles under 18 accounted for 8.4% of murder and nonnegligent manslaughter, a 2.4% increase. Forcible rapes rose 3.1%, robberies went up 9%, and aggravated assaults jumped to 13.6%, a 1.6% increase. Juveniles also had high percentages in a number of other crimes. In addition, burglary 27.7%, larceny-theft 25.4%, motor vehicle theft 24.8%, arson 50.8%, vandalism 39.6%, drug abuse 11.8%, and disorderly conduct 29.6% (Federal Bureau of Investigation [FBI], 2008). In the matter of juveniles facing adult punishments, the death penalty being imposed for juveniles has raised many debates over decades. In 1989, the US Supreme court made minimum age to impose the death penalty at 16 (Stanford v. Kentucky 1989). Due to the intensity of this case and the heinous acts committed, the courts agreed to the death penalty being in the best interest of the community and the convicted. Defense in this case did argue that it violated the constitutional rights under the eighth amendment cruel and unusual punishment. Between 1989 and 2005, 22 inmates were executed for crimes committed when they were juveniles (Lane, 2005). By a vote of 5 to 4, the U.S. Supreme Court on March 1, 2005 held that the Eighth and Fourteenth Amendments forbid the execution of offenders who were under the age of 18 when their crimes were committed (Roper v. Simmons, 2005). With this law now being in place, the court overruled its decision in Stanford, thereby setting the minimum age for eligibility for the

death penalty at 18. The court ruling in the Roper v. Simmons case affected 72 juveniles that had been awaiting execution (Lane, 2005). 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. 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-andyou'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.

One of the nations most tragic events involved that of juveniles committing violent acts. April 20, 1999, Columbine experienced the most horrific event known to any high school ever in history. Two gunmen, both juveniles and students of the school, had planned an attack to kill as many students and staff as they possibly could. After investigation, 13 individuals were pronounced dead and another 25 injured. Eric David Harris and Dylan Klebold were later identified as the shooters and the masterminds behind the attack. Eric Harris, just turning 18 less than two weeks before the shooting, suffered from most of what researchers say cause juvenile crime and delinquency. Dylan Klebold was 17 at the time of the shooting and was said to be more of the follower and that Eric Harris had a strong influence on him, this also being a key component in juvenile crime. There are several police reports that show a recent history of trouble Harris and Klebold were responsible for prior to the shootings at Columbine (Shepard, 1999). Harris and Klebold were caught breaking into a van and, as low-risk factors on a first time offense, were assigned to juvenile diversion, which included anger therapy for Harris and the stipulation that neither youth would be allowed to own a gun (Shepard, 1999). Harris, during his therapy for anger management, filled out a self evaluation form on mental health. He described experiencing homicidal thoughts, mood swings, anger, anxiety, depression and loneliness. All of these factors have proven to play a role in juvenile crime and delinquency. Harris and Klebold were given early release from the program due to their excellent progress within the system. Many now question if this was the right thing to do or even if the young men received enough proper treatment. Forever, in our minds, we are left to wonder if there was anything that could have been done in prevention of the Columbine Massacre. In conclusion, children are the most precious resource in our countrys future. Today juveniles hold the most power in molding what our future holds. Changing how juvenile

offenders think, what motivates them to act and what role they play in society is needed for changes in their behavior and for the change of less juvenile offenders in our future. As said by Eda Lashan, becoming responsible adults is no longer a matter of whether children hang up their pajamas or put dirty towels in the hamper, but whether they care about themselves and others -- and whether they see everyday chores as related to how we treat this planet (Lewis, 1995-2009).

References

CNN, 2009, High school dropout crisis, www.cnn.com

FBI, 2008, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Crime Report 2008, retrieved on January 21, 2010 from www.fbi.gov

Howell, James C., 1995, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, U.S. Dep't of Justice, Guide for Implementing the Comprehensive Strategy for Serious, Violent, and Chronic Juvenile Offenders

Lane, Charles, The Washington Post, March 2, 2005

Lewis, Jone Johnson, 1995-2009, Wisdom Quotes, retrieved on January 22, 2010 from www.wisdomquotes.com

Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, Juvenile Justice Reform Initiatives in the States, 1994-1996, retrieved on January 21, 2010 from www.ojjdp.ncjrs.gov

RAND Research, May 1996, www.rand.org

Roper v. Simmons, 2005, retrieved on January 21, 2010 from www.deathpenaltyinfo.org

Shepard, Cyn, 1999, 4-20: A Columbine Site, www.acolumbinesite.com

Stanford v. Kentucky, 1989, retrieved on January 21, 2010 from www.deathpenaltyinfo.org

Snyder, Howard N, Office of Justice Programs, Juvenile Arrests 2006, www.ojp.usdoj.gov