DeVry University Juvenile Delinquency and Criminal Law Discussion Responses

Assignment:

In this discussion, students will demonstrate the ability to discuss and differentiate between the terms “status offender,” “juvenile delinquent,” and “adult criminal.” Students will also demonstrate the ability to explain concepts and issues relevant to the chronic juvenile offender, as well as the treatment and sentencing of juvenile offenders.

Scenario

Jane is 14 years old and has gotten into trouble at home, at school, and with the local authorities. Not only has Jane skipped school and engaged in early substance use, she has recently been caught vandalizing and stealing food from a neighborhood store. Those who know Jane believe she has been the victim of child abuse and neglect.

Craft an initial post that thoroughly and specifically addresses the following elements. Use specific facts and evidence from the text (citing this information) to support your discussion.

• Review the Module 2 textbook readings discussing the differences between a status offender, a juvenile delinquent, and an adult criminal offender.
  • In your own words, differentiate between the terms juvenile delinquent, status offender, and adult criminal offender.
    • Provide examples to support your discussion.
  • Identify one similarity between the juvenile and adult justice systems, based upon the Module 2 readings.
  • Identify one difference between the juvenile and adult justice systems, based upon the Module 2 readings. 
• Consider the definitions of the terms juvenile delinquent and status offender. How are each of these terms relevant to Jane’s case?
  • Provide specific examples from the excerpt above to support your discussion.
• Consider the content in Chapter 2 of your text regarding juvenile crime rates, juvenile offending, and juvenile victimization.
  • Identify one thing we know about juvenile crime trends today, based upon the readings.
  • Identify and briefly discuss one method used to measure juvenile crime that helps give up this juvenile crime data.
  • Identify one correlate associated with delinquency relevant to Jane’s case. Discuss this correlate and how it is related to Jane’s case.
  • Identify and discuss one fact related to juvenile victimization that is discussed in your text that is relevant to Jane’s case. Discuss this fact and its relevance to Jane’s case.
• There is concern that Jane is becoming a chronic juvenile offender. Consider the research in Module 2 on the chronic juvenile offender.
  • What is a chronic juvenile offender?
  • What are some of the proposed causes of chronic juvenile offending, according to the research on the subject shared in Module 2?
  • How might some of those causes be demonstrated in Jane’s case?
  • Identify and briefly discuss one policy that has been implemented or proposed to address challenges posed by juvenile chronic offenders.
• Of the options discussed in Chapter 1 with respect to dealing with juvenile (chronic) offenders, which option(s) do you think should be applied to Jane’s case? Why?
  • Consider both treatment and punishment options in your response. 
• Consider the Module 2 readings and resources. Develop one discussion question relevant to a topic you found interesting from the Module 2 readings and resources. Your discussion question should further the discussion on the module materials (i.e., it should not be able to be answered with a simple “yes” or “no”).