Juvenile Justice in America:

Rehabilitation or Retribution

Activity 2: What's Happening Now

At the close of the 1990's, dramatic outbreaks of juvenile violence seemed to escalate nationwide. From Pearl, Mississippi to Columbine High School near Denver, Colorado, acts of violence on the part of a few deranged, troubled teenagers sensitized the whole United States to the problem of juvenile crime. Politicians reacted immediately, sensing that the public attitude was changing from condoning rehabilitation to emphasizing retribution. The juvenile justice system is currently in a constant state of flux. Laws affecting violent juvenile offenders are being amended on an ongoing basis. Currently, more than 50% of the United States can legally bestow the death penalty on 16 year olds. In 2 states, 10 year olds may be tried as adults and in the majority of the existing 50 states, 14 year olds may be currently tried as adults.

Your preliminary challenge is to explore and evaluate the information relating to the current status of Juvenile Justince in modern America. You are being provided with the following links to help you on your way.

You will be provided with scenarios of two juveniles accused of murder. You will decide how each case will be ejudicated (adult or criminal court) and the sentencing guidelines for each (rehabilitation or retribution).

Keep a record of your research and opinions in a Juvenile Justice Journal. This is a link to the rubric that will be used to evaluate your Juvenile Justice Journal.

Juvenile Justice Reflective Journal Rubric

Here are your two sample scenarios:

Scenario #1

Scenario #2

Graphically Organized Information:

• Lowest Age of Criminal Responsibility/Criminal Court Jurisdiction as of 1997
• Minimum Age and Offenses for Which a Juvenile Can Be Transferred to Criminal Court in Every State, 1997

Interesting Articles to Read

• Old Enough to Kill, Old Enough to Die
• Justice Talking: Trying Juveniles as Adults
• Dartmouth Murders
• Delinquents or Criminals?
• Do Adult Crime, Do More Than Adult Time
• The Hypocracies of Juvenile Punishment
  

Multi-Media Investigations

• Four kids, four crimes. Two were sent to adult court, two treated as juveniles. Read their stories. How would you decide? w/video
• Last Chance Ranch Florida Detention Center Treats Troubled, Violent Girls National Public Radio:"All Things Considered"

This is a link to the rubric that will be used to evaluate your Juvenile Justice Journal.

Juvenile Justice Reflective Journal Rubric