1 Juvenile Delinquency and Juvenile JusticeChapter 11
2 History of the Juvenile CourtsFocus on rehabilitation Disposition fit the offender not the offense Lacking culpability No formal protections of due process Kent v. United States Assistance of counsel In re Gault (1967) All protections under the Bill of Rights Due process Perception of increase in juvenile crime
3 Processing in Juvenile CourtsLaw enforcement contact Intake Hearing Formal report conducted by the probation officer Judge orders a sentence if the juvenile is found ‘delinquent’
4 Juvenile Delinquency and Juvenile OffensesBehavior against the criminal code committed by an individual who has not reached adulthood Most crimes are property crimes (45%), crimes against person (23%), crimes against public order (21%), drug offenses (11%) Juvenile crime is at its lowest in 20 years Offenders are becoming younger More are sent to adult courts Increase in crime among girls
5 Status offenses Property crimes (1/3 of juvenile arrests) CurfewLoitering Property crimes (1/3 of juvenile arrests) Burglary (1/4 of all juvenile offenses) Theft Arson
6 Risk Factors for Juvenile DelinquencyIndividual Substance abuse, mental health concerns, impulsivity, and poor problem solving Family Poor parental attachment, lack of parental supervision, and harsh ineffective discipline School Academic difficulty, unrecognized learning disabilities, poor school attendance, academic dissatisfaction Delinquent Peers and Gang membership Offense history predict recidivism
7 Protective Factors IntelligenceNegative attitudes toward delinquent behavior Sociability/positive temperament Positive family influence Close relationship with a family member School environment Commitment to and participation in activities Educational achievement
8 Juvenile Violence Juvenile violence is higher than in previous generations and is high in industrialized countries Homicide is the leading cause of death among Hispanics and African-Americans Violent crime almost over 30 years
9 Risk Factors for Nonsexual ViolenceIndividual impulsivity, hyperactivity, poor behavioral control greater risk taking, attentional problems, reduced intelligence, poor educational performance Family Parental with prior criminal history, low attachment, harsh discipline, poor supervision, child abuse, low socioeconomic status, family conflicts Delinquent Peers and Gang membership Neighborhood Urban area, availability of drugs and guns
10 Risk Factors for Sexual Violence19% of rapes are by males under 19 years 1/3 of child molesters are juveniles 2-14% reoffending rate Risk Factors for reoffending Acquaintance of the victim Not receiving any form of treatment Less severe initial offenses Younger offender Little is known about female juvenile perpetrators
11 Role of Forensic Psychologists in Juvenile CourtEvaluate treatment amenability Systemic functioning important Identify treatment needs Provide Treatment Multi-modal interventions Multi-systemic Therapy Transfer Evaluations Transfers to criminal courts
12 Competency Evaluations Insanity Evaluations Risk assessmentDevelopmental immaturity is a factor Insanity Evaluations Extremely rare in juvenile cases Risk assessment Threat assessments Early Assessment Risk List (EARL) Structured Assessment of Violent Risk in Youth (SAVRY)
13 Special Issues in Regard to Juveniles: School ViolenceSchool Violence and School Shooting School shootings peaked 1990s and decreased after 1998 Violent crime has decreased in schools Use of school shooter profiles are ineffective Threat Assessment Specific form of risk assessment Encourages identification of precise actions associated with behaving violently