THEY THINK, 'I CAN KILL BECAUSE I'M 14' - A CASE STUDY IN A JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM THAT NEITHER PROTECTS THE VICTIMS NOR HELPS THE RISING NUMBER OF VIOLENT YOUTH

• NCJ Number: 16177
• Journal: New York Times Magazine Dated: (JANUARY 19, 1975) Pages: 9-11,16,21-22,24,26,28,30,32,34
• Author(s): T MORGAN
• Date Published: 1975
• Length: 12 pages
• Corporate Author: New York Times
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

EXAMINATION OF THE SITUATION CAUSED BY THE INCREASING TREND OF JUVENILES COMMITTING SERIOUS AND VIOLENT CRIMES AND THE JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM WHICH REQUIRES THAT THOSE UNDER 16 BE DEALT WITH DIFFERENTLY THAN ADULTS.

Abstract

CASE STUDIES ARE PRESENTED OF TEN, TWELVE, AND FOURTEEN YEAR OLD YOUTHS, WHO HAVE COMMITTED CRIMES OF RAPE, MURDER, ROBBERY, AND ASSAULT. MOST, IF NOT ALL, OF THESE YOUTHS ARE EITHER SENT TO A TRAINING SCHOOL FOR A MAXIMUM OF 18 MONTHS, RELEASED TO THE CUSTODY OF THEIR PARENTS, OR DIVERTED FROM THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM IN OTHER WAYS. THIS HAPPENS, DUE TO WHAT THE AUTHOR CALLS 'CRACKS' IN THE JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM. ALL OF THESE YOUTHS ARE BEHAVIOR PROBLEMS, AND A LARGE MAJORITY ARE FOUND TO NEED PSYCHIATRIC HELP. HOWEVER, A GENERAL LACK OF PUBLIC FACILITIES, REFUSALS BY PRIVATE AGENCIES AND MENTAL HOSPITALS TO ACCEPT CASES, AND THE LEGAL POLICY OF TREATING JUVENILES UNDER 16 DIFFERENTLY THAN ADULTS, ALL CONTRIBUTE TO A 'TURNSTILE' EFFECT WHICH RETURNS THESE VIOLENT-ACTING-OUT YOUTHS TO THE STREETS. SUGGESTIONS FOR CORRECTING THIS SITUATION INCLUDE LOWERING THE AGE LIMIT FOR CRIMINAL PROSECUTION FROM 16 TO 14 AND REQUIRING THAT PRIVATE SOCIAL AGENCIES RECEIVING PUBLIC FUNDS ACCEPT THOSE CASES REFERRED TO THEM.