Discuss the various factors that influence discretionary practices used by police in regard to their handling of juvenile matters

What will be an ideal response?


The answer should include the following points:
Individual Factors


  • personality characteristics of the juvenile

  • personality characteristics of the police officer

  • interaction between the police officer and the juvenile



Sociocultural Factors


  • citizen complaints

  • gender of the juvenile

  • race/ethnicity of the juvenile

  • socioeconomic status of the juvenile

  • influence of cultural norms in the community and values of the wider society on both juveniles and police officers

  • external pressures in the community to arrest certain types of juvenile offenders



Organizational Factors


  • nature of the offense

  • departmental policy

Criminal Justice

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