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Milestone Two Outline Assignment
Juveniles in the Criminal Justice System
Southern New Hampshire University
POL 210: American Politics
1. Introduction
a. Definition of juveniles in the criminal justice system – individuals under the age
of 18 who commit a crime in the United States.
b. Importance of understanding juvenile offenders – environment, background.
2. Background of Juvenile Justice
a. Historical development of juvenile justice system – in the 1960’s juvenile courts
had jurisdiction over nearly all cases. The Juvenile Justice and Delinquency
Prevention Act of 1974 (ImpactLaw, n.d.)
b. Key principles and goals of juvenile justice – maintain public safety, skill
development, habilitation, rehabilitation, treatment needs, and reintegration into
the community (Juvenile Justice | Youth.gov, n.d.).
3. Juvenile Court Process
a. Overview of juvenile court system – arrest, referral, initial detainment, informal
hearing, disposition, formal hearing (delinquency and waiver petition), status
offenses (ImpactLaw, n.d.-b).
b. Rights and protections for juvenile defendants – Eighth Amendment
c. Diversion programs for alternative to court -
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4. Juvenile Detention and Rehabilitation
a. Purpose and function of juvenile detention centers – a short term confinement
after a minor has been arrested and before a court has determined that they are
innocent or guilty. Also used for when waiting for a disposition or a placement
after disposition (The Annie E. Casey Foundation, 2021).
b. Rehabilitation programs for juvenile offenders
i. Counseling and mental health services
ii. Educational and vocational programs iii.
Restorative justice approaches
5. Juvenile Sentencing
a. Sentencing guidelines for juvenile offenders – verbal warning, paying restitution,
take counseling or community rehabilitation programs, electronic monitoring,
curfews, house arrest, juvenile detention center, and incarcerated (F. P. Team,
2022).
b. Juvenile vs. adult criminal sentencing – Roper v. Simmons, Graham v. Florida,
Miranda v. Arizona.
6. Recent Reforms and Improvements
a. Efforts to reduce juvenile incarceration rates – Rehabilitating and other programs
to help juveniles.
b. Emphasis on restorative justice solutions – Continuing on the ways that
restorative justice helps out juveniles in other ways besides being incarcerated.
c. Mental health and trauma approaches
7. Conclusion
a. Recapitulation of the importance of the juvenile justice system – Explain why the
system is in place and what its uses are for.
b. Continued research and reform – Multiple programs out there for wanting to
make differences in juvenile’s lives to keep them out of the system.
c. Hope for a fair and effective juvenile justice system for the future
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References:
Graham v. Florida. (n.d.). Oyez. Retrieved July 23, 2023, from
https://www.oyez.org/cases/2009/08-7412
ImpactLaw. (n.d.). History of the Juvenile Justice System - Impact Law.
https://www.impactlaw.com/criminal-law/juvenile/system/history
ImpactLaw. (n.d.-b). Juvenile Court case process - arrest & detainment - Impact law.
https://www.impactlaw.com/criminal-law/juvenile/cases
Juvenile Justice | Youth.gov. (n.d.). https://youth.gov/youth-topics/juvenile-justice
Miranda v. Arizona. (n.d.). Oyez. Retrieved July 9, 2023, from
https://www.oyez.org/cases/1965/759
Roper v. Simmons. (n.d.). Oyez. Retrieved July 23, 2023, from
https://www.oyez.org/cases/2004/03-633
Team, F. P. (2022, May 11). Criminal Sentencing In Juvenile Court - Fair Punishment. Fair
Punishment. https://fairpunishment.org/criminal-sentencing-in-juvenile-court/
The Annie E. Casey Foundation. (2021, May 27). Juvenile detention explained.
https://www.aecf.org/blog/what-is-juvenile-detention
