JUVENILE RIGHTS

Juvenile Rights



Juvenile Rights

Introduction

The juvenile crimes are rising throughout the world. It has been noticed that when these offenders are brought to the juvenile justice system by any police officer, they are governed by the distinct set of practices and philosophies as of those encountered by adults accused of crimes (Burrus 2002). They are processed by juvenile justice system until they are waived to the court of adult. Many historical researches have differentiated that juvenile offenders should be treated separately from their older counterparts. Still, the question is unsolved because the nature of crime is same regardless of the offender (Goode 2003).

Discussion

Comparison of additional protections afforded juveniles (as compared with adult offenders)

At the time of arrest, juveniles have separate rights than those of adults (Podkopacz 2001). There are also some additional protections for juveniles that the old counterparts do not have. Juvenile offenders were treated in much the same manner as adults before the first court for juvenile was established in Illinois in 1899 (Burrus 2002). Youthful transgressions against criminal law were managed through a generalized system of prohibitions and punishments. Consequently, findings of guilt were determined by the actions of the individual with little consideration for their situation, life experiences, social position, or mental state. Juvenile offenders were believed to be acting with criminal intent and were consequently punished in much the same manner as adults (Goode 2003).

In the past few years, the theory of 'get tough' was applied for young offenders, through which young people could easily be transferred to the adult system; therefore, applicable to severe penalties. Now, federal government is aiming at reducing youth crime through the youth justice system, which has flourished (Podkopacz 2001). Also, Municipalities and city governments possess only modest lawmaking power that has added their own legislative response to ...