The Future of Juveniles

The Future of Juveniles

In today’s society it is essential to understand the occurrence and prevention of juvenile crime. Numerous teenagers are becoming juvenile delinquents and society needs to know why. This paper will identify five concepts on which Team C believes to be the most significant social facts in the occurrence and prevention of juvenile delinquency. The paper will discuss recommendations for the future in which families, the community, law enforcement, probation and/or courts can help reduce juvenile delinquency.

Increase of Juvenile Violent Crime

One of the most significant events in the occurrence of juvenile delinquency is the fact that of late juvenile offenders becoming more violent. (Siegel, 2002) As official data shows, there appears to be a trend that in the last decade-juvenile violence rate has sharply increased while adult violence is in decline. (Siegel) Consequentially the data indicates that juvenile offenders are committing murder and other serious felony offenses at an increasing pace, it appears that there has been a recent stabilization in the violence rate. However, with the growing population of juveniles it is suggested that these incidents of violent crime will also be reflected exponentially. (Siegel) As the statistical evidence shows this forecast of problems to come, law enforcement agencies and communities should be planning for the increase use of assets and funding to combat this growing problem. Money and resources spent early in this campaign could mean the difference between lowering the rate of juvenile crime or society being swept away in this its tidal wave. Accountable, effective and active parenting coupled with community oriented programs could help reduce this rate increase.

Impact of Community Policing

Another area that has shown a significant impact on juvenile crime is the implementation of effective community oriented policing operations. Improved community relations and the advent of citizen crime prevention programs couple with educations programs such as D.A.R.E. have become a cornerstone of most law enforcement agencies. (Siegel, 2002) These programs have enhanced cooperation between the citizens and the police, enabling a positive perception of the community in the areas of safety and quality of life. (Siegel, 2002) Through the pioneering efforts these types of programs, the U.S. Department of Justice established the National Center for Children Exposed to Violence (NCCEV) at the Yale Child Study Center in 1999. (NCCEV, 2006)

The NCCEV has become a primary national resource center for anyone seeking information about the effects of violence on children and the initiatives designed to address this problem. (NCCEV) Furthering its aim to reduce violence on children the NCCEV also provides training, technical assistance and consultation to a variety of collaborative community programs across the country. (NCCEV) Further operational positive use of community police can continue to have positive effects in the combating of juvenile crime.

Victim Restitution

In recent years, victim restitution has been viewed as another way to make sure that justice is served, but at the same time, the juvenile is given a second chance to redeem him or herself. Victim restitution is often referred to as monetary restitution and it provides the court with an important alternative sentencing option and has been instituted in virtually every jurisdiction in the country.(Siegel, 2000) Responsibility for success or failure lies with the participants and the courts keep a close eye to make sure that the juvenile follows through with the repayment. The criteria for victim restitution is mostly that the juvenile is a first- or second-time offender whose crime lends itself to restitution, such as repayment of property loss or damage, and to those who are interested in meeting with the victim to set things right. Parents are urged to be active participants by supporting the juvenile and his or her efforts to resolve the matter. (Information on Victims, 2006) The goal of the juvenile court process is to enable the offender to be a law-abiding and productive member of his or her family and the community while holding the nonviolent juvenile offender accountable for their actions in hopes that this will reduce other delinquency from the offender. Research on juvenile offenders demonstrates

that those required to provide restitution or perform a community service act to address the impact of their offense are less likely to recidivate than those issued only traditional sanctions such as time in a juvenile detention facility. (NATIONAL CRIME PREVENTION COUNCIL, 2006)

Handgun Control for Juveniles

Research indicates a close tie between gun use, control of drug markets, and teen violence. (Siegel, 2000) Unless efforts are made to control the spread of handguns, teenage violence and murder rates will continue to rise. (Siegel, 2000) According to a recent report on juvenile justice legislative initiatives conducted by NCSL, deaths caused by juveniles using guns increased fourfold during the 10 years between 1984 and 1994. (NCSL Legislator's Guide, 1995) Juveniles increasingly are the victims

of firearms-related violence. The U.S. Department of the Treasury, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) reported that more U.S. teenagers die from gunshot wounds than from all natural causes of disease combined. These statistics are alarming and more handgun control is needed to make juveniles realize the consequences of their actions with guns.

Gun control is a hot and touchy subject in the US however; juvenile gun control is something that most citizens agree on. The Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 made it unlawful for any person to sell, deliver or otherwise transfer a handgun or ammunition only suitable for a handgun to anyone younger than 18 years old. It is also illegal for persons under the age of 18 to knowingly possess a handgun or ammunition only suitable for a handgun. (Federal Laws and Regulations) Although this and other laws have been passed, loopholes still exist and stricter consequences need to be put into effect to help combat juveniles from having access to firearms. One of these loopholes are adults are prohibited from transferring firearms to juveniles, but are not required to

store guns so that kids cannot get access to them. This Child Access Prevention (CAP) proposal would require parents to keep loaded firearms out of the reach of children and would hold gun owners criminally responsible if a child gains access to an unsecured firearm and uses it to injure him- or

herself