In: Psychology
The Supreme Court has made a number of major decisions in the area of juvenile justice. What are these decisions? What is their impact on the juvenile justice system?
If the children commit a crime, they are not given similar punishment as the adults committing the similar activity. This is because the children have a greater capacity to change. Therefore the juvenile justice system is designed accordingly with a separate formal juvenile court, the proceedings of which are kept confidential from the general public. These cases are not eligible for a trial by jury. The main aim of this system is the rehabilitation along with the developmental, psychological, therapeutic and academic programming. The juveniles are given a right to trials as well as the prohibition against double jeopardy along with a right to counsel by the Supreme Court. However, the system has become strict post-1990s which saw a reduction in the rate of juvenile crimes. Generally, the juveniles are placed out of home for the rehabilitation. The punishment can be as bad as a lifetime sentencing without a parole. These hearings require a proof before adjudication. Children until the age of 18 are considered as the juveniles. Since the juveniles are considered for trial and are awarded punishment, they are not eligible for any government posts after completion of the term. When the juvenile is eligible for an adult court trial, the case can be transferred by one of the following ways based on how serious the offense is: