This brief document defines the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act of 1974, describes how it works and why we need it, and examines its impact on the U.S. juvenile justice system.
The Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act (JJDPA) of 1974 is described in this document, which provides background on the federal legislation that established national standards for the custody and care of youth in the juvenile justice system. The act’s purpose was to protect children and youth in the justice system, address delinquent behavior, and improve community safety. The document provides a brief history of the JJDPA; notes how it works, authorizing a federal framework for youth justice and providing critical federal funding to states in order to promote the prevention of delinquency and to support compliance with the JJDPA core requirements. The document also highlights the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Program (OJJDP) and its role in implementing the JJDPA. The document emphasizes the importance of the JJDPA as well as its impact on the modern juvenile justice system.