JUVENILE JUSTICE

Juvenile Justice of NY and LA



Abstract

In this study we try to explore the concept of Juvenile Justice in a holistic context. The main focus of the research is on comparison of Juvenile Justice of New York and Los Angeles. The research also analyzes many aspects of “Juvenile Justice” and tries to gauge its effect on minors and their family. Finally the research describes the efforts that are being made on improving the Juvenile Justice system in New York and Los Angeles.



Juvenile Justice of NY and LA

Introduction

In 1899, the first juvenile court in United States was established in Chicago as a product of a Progressive Era. However, before the establishment of Juvenile Court any individual falling under the age of seventeen who committed a crime was categorized under the same criminal court as adults.

Generally, the legal system has some degree of specialization on minors, commonly referred to as "juvenile justice". Such a system can operate within the formal criminal justice system for adults or develop outside the court system through committees, commissions or administrative task (panels). In states without specialized system of juvenile justice, children in conflict with the law are for the most part treated in the same way as adults. The criminal justice system for adults such as for minors, are a common use of imprisonment. The both of them can ignore the interests of the child and addressing the root causes of a conflict with the law. In accordance with their specific situation and needs, children and adolescents should always be excluded from the ordinary justice system for adults.

Discussion

Juvenile Justice in Los Angeles

Juvenile Justice Crime Prevention Act implemented a few programs in Los Angeles. These programs are based on the findings of effective elements of Juvenile Justice. The planning of these programs include”

1.Assessment is conducted of existing services that are targeted at risky juveniles.

2.Identify and prioritize schools, neighborhoods and other areas of high juvenile crime.

3.A continuum must be provided by a strategy of graduated responses to juvenile crime.

In the 1997, the LA Court of Appeal made the following observation about the state's juvenile justice system: While each division of the court is vitally important to the litigants and to society, there is no division of greater importance than the juvenile court, which deals with the sensitive parent-child relationship and the potential of horrendous damage to children. Few people, especially those who work in the courts, would disagree with that statement. However, how many people truly understand what the juvenile court does that makes it so important? And how many are aware of the innovative programs and truly unique courthouse known as the Edmund D. Edelman Children's Court in Monterey Park? The juvenile justice system in Los Angeles is most likely the largest system of its kind in the United States and perhaps the world. Each day there are no fewer than 60 full-time courts devoted to the different segments of our juvenile justice system. When thinking of the juvenile court, most people think primarily of ...