Juvenile Justice System And The Juvenile Delinquent System

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The U.S. Census reported that 1.6 million individuals under the age of 18 were arrested in 2010, a substantial increase from previous years (OJJDP, 2012; US Census Bureau, 2012). Of those individuals detained, over nine percent were convicted as juveniles and entered into a juvenile detention facility (Risler, 2009). Approximately 500,000 children are currently in the foster care system, while almost 300,000 have medical problems, have neurological impairs, and developmental delays (Earls, 2013). In addition, they were all exposed to some degree of critical abuse or neglect, leaving almost 80 percent of those children with serious emotional difficulties (Earls, 2013). As a result of various complications, emotional disturbances, and multiple placements, many children get involved in illegal activities and end up in the juvenile delinquent system (Center for Children and Youth Justice, 2014). This paper looks to examine the connection between both the juvenile justice system and the foster care system, and its implications on a minor’s future. With the prevalent research, statistics, and an interview from an expert in the probation and foster care field, one will be able to thoroughly understand the impact both systems have on each other and society as a whole.
Legislation & Data
In 2012, Governor Brown projected to close the Division of Juvenile Justice, ultimately putting a halt in the ongoing debate about the actual progress of the juvenile justice system (Curcio, 2012; Bundy, 2012). With the closing of the DJJ, this would move the responsibility of juvenile offenders from the state, to local counties, with the anticipation of rehabilitating juveniles more effectively at the local level, rather than strictly punishing them (LA...

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...states that permit judges to sentence minors to life imprisonments and ultimately die in prison. The concern with this practice is that juvenile development and the societal influences are often not taken into consideration when discussing juvenile crime. Currently there are 309 inmates in the California Correctional and Rehabilitation system who were sentenced to life sentences before the age of 18 (Thompson, 2012). These individuals were convicted as juveniles and are now serving life sentences, even after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down mandatory life sentences without parole for juveniles (Thompson, 2012). Senate Bill 9 was introduced so persons who had received a sentence of life without parole, prior to turning 18, many of whom were first time offenders, would be offered reduced sentences with proof of rehabilitation progress in prison (Thompson, 2012).

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