Introduction

Every day, we read about the latest juvenile to be tried as an adult and sent to prison. From John Hinckley Jr. graduating from high school at age 15 and getting kicked out of Yale University to Michael Dunn – a Florida man who shot two black teenagers in 2013 over a loud music dispute – we are repeatedly shocked by these stories. But do we really understand why they’re shocking? Why are they happening? And most importantly: What can we do about it?

The Juvenile Court – What it is and what it isn’t?

In discussing juvenile justice, you may hear the term “juvenile” used in a variety of ways. The term can refer to both children and adults who are under 18 years old. It also refers to types of cases that take place within a court system called the juvenile court.

The juvenile court has jurisdiction over children who have been accused or charged with crimes that happened when they were minors (under 18). These cases usually involve serious offenses like murder, rape and robbery; so these are serious matters indeed! However, there are other types of cases where an adult is accused or charged with committing crimes while still being a minor—these cases involve less serious offenses such as gambling charges or underage drinking violations (but still can get pretty serious). In some states these types of charges are handled by separate courts altogether – for example New Jersey has its own separate “adult” system instead!

Who are these “juveniles”?

Juveniles are young people between the ages of 10 and 17, who have not yet become adults. The word “juvenile” is a technical term used in law because they are considered to be legally incompetent until they turn 18.

Children, adolescents and criminals all have different rights than juveniles. This means that when you see someone referred to as a “juvenile,” it doesn’t necessarily mean that s/he committed a crime or should be treated differently from an adult offender; in fact, some states don’t consider any person under 18 years old as being equivalent to an adult offender at all!

Are they really all that bad?

The answer to this question is yes. Juveniles are not that bad. They’re children who have made mistakes and deserve a second chance, just like you or me. But what if your juvenile has done something so awful that it makes you want to spit in their face? How can we be sure that the juvenile will change their ways?

There’s no such thing as perfect rehabilitation for juveniles who commit crimes or other offenses; however, there are things every adult should know about juveniles so they can make informed decisions when dealing with them on a daily basis as well as after serving time behind bars/in prison/or whatever else happens during incarceration (if applicable).

Why should we care?

As a young adult, you may be wondering why your parents are so concerned about juvenile justice. After all, it’s not like you’re going to grow up and become a criminal! Well, that’s true—but there are many reasons why we should care about juvenile justice. In fact, this topic can affect anyone who lives in or near a community: families who want their children to succeed; youth leaders hoping for positive change; or communities trying to improve their overall well-being.

Can they be rehabilitated?

Juvenile offenders are capable of change and rehabilitation. However, they need the right support in order to do so. They need treatment that focuses on their needs as a human being rather than punishment or retribution for their actions. If you have a juvenile offender in your life, try to understand what it means for them to be treated like an adult—and approach them with compassion and understanding instead of anger or frustration (which can also lead to resentment).

Youth are capable of change.

Juvenile’s are capable of change. They can be rehabilitated, helped, educated and taught. They can be guided in the right direction with the right people who will care about their welfare as well as themselves. And they need to know that there is someone out there who cares enough to guide them through life’s struggles, so they will not end up like many others who grew up without guidance or love from their families.

Conclusion

Nothing is ever perfect, but we believe that the Juvenile Court system can help us make our communities safer by providing a sense of justice for victims and offenders alike. We also hope that this article has given you some insight into our penal system as well as shed some light on juvenile delinquency.