Activity 4

The Juvenile Justice System is devoted to handling offenders, which are under the age of 18. Also, when it comes to the treatments and the proceedings are different in regard to the adult justice system. The focal role of this system is to make a juvenile a responsible citizen if found guilty of committing criminal offenses. This system includes key figures known as the Prosecutor, and the defense counsel that deals with the proceedings and then the decision is resting upon the judge of the juvenile whether to be placed on probation or not if found guilty. The Christian views are also important as religion plays an authoritative role in our life, making it essential for us to look into the religious sayings for juvenile justice. This paper discusses discuss roles of a prosecutor and defense counsel when it comes to juvenile court, reasons as to why the presence of a legitimate spokesperson for both sides is crucial in contemporary juvenile, and the advantages and disadvantages of the judge as the lawgiver and parent figure.

The Juvenile Justice system handles the crimes that are carried out by children based on the child ages of 10 to18. The Juvenile system evolves, and changes are made in the judicial system for prosecutors and defenders regards to the judicial proceedings pertaining to a juvenile. During the colonial times, common laws of England governed the people in the criminal justice system, this was before the American Revolution began. The kids were also held accountable as adults. In 19th C., the idea soon went forth that the welfare of the kids should be cared by the state. This notion ultimately made the government realize to act as a guardian of children of the States. Today, if the juvenile is found to have committed an offense, it is called the Adjudication of Delinquency. On the basis of which they can be placed on probation/ placed at home (Court ordered placement) if considered necessary, community service, placement in a facility (rehab), or fees and restitution (Champion, 2001).  (Good introduction, but unclear of thesis statements aligned with the assignment criteria at the end of your introduction aligned with the level heading in the body of the paper.)

Role of A Prosecutor

Over the years, the juvenile system has changed towards the balanced approach to prosecution for juveniles which includes three major notions. The competence development is consistent to make sure the prosecutor knows if a juvenile is not involved in the system that they do not reactivate. In the juvenile justice system, the prosecutors strive for young people who have committed crimes the opportunity to be responsible citizens in their adult life and keeping community safety a priority. The prosecutor also needs to support victims, that victims are heard and have an opportunity to be in the courtroom and need to make sure that whether the offender is conscious of the crime the actions done by them. In juvenile justice, prosecutors play a crucial role in deciding whether the case needs to be illustrated in the court, having the authority of the petitions, and regarding the punishments imposed by the judge playing a primary role in the juvenile court hearings. The prosecutor also has the authority for enforcing unofficial probation, this matter is crucial because a case should not be presented to the court. Unofficial probation also helps in minimizing the burden of the number of cases in the Juvenile Courts and amounting punishment without the processing of a trial (Backstrom & Walker, 2005). 

Role of the Defense Counsel

In the Juvenile Justice System, it continues to make sure that every juvenile offender has representation in court. Thus, the Defense counsel also plays a vital role in safeguarding the rights of the Juvenile that is represented by the court system. The court gives the chance of having the guardian or a parent in the counsel where they speak for the juvenile in the case of neglect towards the juvenile or because of immaturity. The defense counsel involves two main types of the counsel that are private counsel and the court-appointed counsel. The difference between both is that in the private counsel, a private counselor is appointed to present the juvenile offender while in the latter; the court takes the liberty of appointing the counselor. But both represent the concern of the juvenile giving the defense counsel an important role to represent the offenders in the Juvenile Court System. Hence, every juvenile with a criminal offense has a right to free counsel. The defense counsel takes the role of pro-community and pro-victim approach because children need to know the effects of doing something bad (Fled, 1988).  

Juvenile Court Judge

In this system, the pattern and perspective of the judge are different as compared to the adult court. Juvenile judges after hearing decides the legal proceeding keeping the constitutional rights in view. The judge needs to make sure of an efficient order that is truly based on justice and fairness. The judge decides if there is probable cause that illustrates that the juvenile has committed any act toward any wrong doings. If the judge finds that the juvenile has committed a crime, then he must see if the offender requires treatment, supervision, and reformation. But then, the juvenile can be adjudicated and is imposed in the disposition like probation, a placement, detention, a secure facility, or whether he can go back to the home environment. Afterwards, a criminal law decision that is enforced by the judge known as the finding of a hearing is implemented. The judge makes a decision beyond a sensible doubt, whether that juvenile committed the delinquent acts charge. Yet in most cases, the absence of the jury is observed, upon making the judge's decision final. Many juvenile judges work part-time while in the latter cases, the judges from different judicial functions are assigned, making it hard for the proceeding to be done as the specialist of juvenile proceedings. 

Judges as a Parent figure

There are various juvenile court judges that tend to see themselves as a parent figure for the juvenile offenders. They put the interest of the juveniles that appear in the court above everything. They also tend to talk to the juvenile or their guardian to get a deeper insight into the case and to find the possibility of regret, abuse, or negligence that a juvenile might have gone through. These parent figures at times think that instead of the act of adjudication, the juveniles might require the threat like adjudication to prevent the juveniles from committing offenses and be a trustworthy citizen. These judges feel that it is their responsibility for the juvenile's treatment if they have not committed the crime to spare them the possible psychological stress it might have caused. But the emotions towards the juvenile might at times overshadow the rightful decision that needs to be taken, making the justice and fairness of the Juvenile Justice System cloudy also possibly putting the safety of society at risk. 

Judges as Law Giver

Just like the parent figure judges, there are lawgiver judges in the Juvenile proceedings who are primarily concerned regarding the facts and figures with no emotional strings attached to the juveniles appearing in the court. They dismiss the case if not provided with a fair amount of evidence and do not see themselves responsible for the treatment if they are found not guilty and whether they have been through emotional turmoil or negligence that made them commit a crime. This kind of extreme can cause negative psychological effects on the juveniles making it hard for them to be a responsible citizen in their adults and also, they might blame the justice system for not taking care of them because of their immaturity (Stickman, 2017). 

Christian View

In Christianity, God has always given the message of forgiveness, love, and to live in harmony together. Also, regarding the Juvenile offenders that if some commit the crime, they go through despair and possibly the punishment of labor or even prison, but when they seek forgiveness, the Lord helps them out their despair and dark days and forgives them (King James Bible, 1970, Psalm 107:10-16). In another verse, the Lord mentions the juvenile detention that even if some offenders suffer from the detention, but an individual is righteous will find goodness in them. They will find their righteous self-inside them and will not only be free from the punishment, but will also be free from the sins that they have committed as God is most forgiving (King James Bible, 1970, Psalm 142:6-8)  

Conclusion

The juvenile justice system is crucial for drawing a line between the adult and juvenile courts as Juveniles are immature and might cause an offense due to the possibility of abuse, negligence or because of the immaturity. The prosecutor, and the right to defense counsel, is crucial in keeping the balance in the justice system. The judge also plays the key role, but it is either of the two extremes mentioned above will cloud the justice and fairness system, leading to either the unjustified proceedings or may impose risks the well-being of society. As a result, it is vital that interest is provided to children since they are our future and if they are caught up in a criminal offense, some form of proper treatment should be rendered to them, so they can illustrate responsible behaviors as a citizen in their adulthood. 

References

Backstrom, J. C., & Walker, G. L. (2005). The role of the prosecutor in juvenile justice: Advocacy in the courtroom and leadership in the community. Wm. Mitchell L. Rev., 32, 963.

Champion, D. J. (2001). The juvenile justice system: Delinquency, processing, and the law. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.

Feld, B. C. (1988). Right to counsel in juvenile court: An empirical study of when lawyers appear and the difference they make. J. Crim. l. & CrimiNology, 79, 1185.

King James Bible. (1970). The Holy Bible. Camden, New Jersey. Thomas Nelson, Inc.

Sickmund, M. (2017). National Council of Juvenile and family court judges Passes a set of practice reform resolutions. Juvenile and Family Court Journal, 68(4), 43-47.

Good work on the content, keep working on the areas of concern noted. Also, be sure you meet all criteria (such as opposing viewpoint) clearly for you reader. If you have any questions I can assist with let me know.

Blessings to you and yours, Carl

References