Discuss the juvenile justice process; include a brief description of each step in the process

What will be an ideal response?


• Police Investigation: When youths commit a crime, police have the authority to investigate the incident and decide whether to release the youths or commit them to the juvenile court. This is often a discretionary decision, based not only on the nature of the offense but also on conditions existing at the time of the arrest.
• Detention: If the police decide to file a petition, the child is referred to juvenile court. The primary decision at this point is whether the child should remain in the -community or be placed in a detention facility or shelter home.
• Pretrial Procedures: In most jurisdictions, the adjudication process begins with some sort of hearing. At this hearing, juvenile court rules normally require that juveniles be informed of their right to a trial, that the plea or admission be voluntary, and that they understand the charges and consequences of the plea. If the child denies the allegation of delinquency, an adjudicatory hearing or trial is scheduled.
• Adjudication: Adjudication is the trial stage of the juvenile court process. If the child does not admit guilt at the initial hearing and is not transferred to an adult court, an adjudication hearing is held to determine the facts of the case.
• Disposition: If the adjudication process finds the child delinquent, the court must decide what should be done to treat the child. Most juvenile court acts require a dispositional hearing separate from the adjudication.
• Treatment: After disposition in juvenile court, delinquent offenders may be placed in some form of correctional treatment. Probation is the most commonly used formal sentence for juvenile offenders, and many states require that a youth fail on probation before being sent to an institution (unless the criminal act is extremely serious).

Criminal Justice

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Answer the following statement(s) true (T) or false (F)

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How does the incarceration rate for African American males compare to that of the white majority?

A) Compared to the overall population in the United States, African Americans make up a much smaller ratio of the prison population B) African American males are sent to prison and jail at a rate six times greater than that of whites C) There is no discernible difference in incarceration rates based on race D) African Americans are incarcerated at a rate much higher than whites but much lower than Hispanics E) Based on race, white and Hispanic males are more likely to be incarcerated than are African American males

Criminal Justice

Which of the following statements is true about prostitution?

A. It is the most common type of order maintenance problem for police officers. B. It is a "victimless crime," with no complaining party. C. It excludes women who work as hustlers and skeezers. D. It is a felony in all states in the United States.

Criminal Justice