NCJ Number
164605
Date Published
1996
Length
0 pages
Annotation
This preview videotape provides an overview of juvenile delinquency and the juvenile justice system and depicts two juvenile offenders as they progress through the law enforcement component of the system.
Abstract
The discussion notes that 1 million youths commit 1.5 million crimes each year. The most frequent crimes are larceny theft, simple assault, burglary, and vandalism. Society's response consists of law enforcement, courts, and juvenile dispositions. However, families, schools, religious institutions, and the entire community must be involved to prevent juvenile delinquency. The juvenile and adult justice systems have similarities and differences. In the juvenile justice system the restorative justice model has emerged. The three components of this model are accountability, competency development, and community protection. The two offenders depicted are shoplifters. One is a first offender who steals an item of small value and becomes involved in a police diversion program consisting of community service, a letter of apology to the store, and a structured youth program. The diversion program has a recidivism rate of only 3-5 percent. The other offender has committed a prior offense, steals an item worth $300, and is scheduled for formal adjudication.