CRJ180: Juvenile Delinquency and Justice
Week 9 Assignment
Juvenile Delinquency Q&A
Part One: Juvenile Delinquency
Please answer the following questions using well-developed sentences or short paragraphs, using your own
words. The assignment requires at least 3 credible sources cited in Strayer Writing Standards (SWS) format.
1. Compare the juvenile justice system to the adult justice system, highlighting at least 3 key differences
and 3 similarities.
Both the youth justice system and the adult justice system are meant to keep things fair and safe, but they work
in different ways and have different goals. In the juvenile justice system, the main goal is to help young
offenders change their behavior for the better, while in the adult system, the focus is more on punishing
offenders for their actions. Juvenile courts try to help young offenders become law-abiding members of society,
while adult courts are more about making sure people pay for their crimes and scaring others from breaking the
law.
Another difference is in how they use words and do things. For example, young people in trouble with the law
are called "delinquent" in the juvenile system instead of being called "guilty" of a crime. And the way things are
done in juvenile courts is usually less formal. Juvenile courts try to help young offenders become law-abiding
members of society, while adult courts are more about making sure people pay for their crimes and scaring
others from breaking the law.
In the legal system, young people's privacy is better protected than that of adults. This means that their records
are usually kept confidential or deleted when they grow up, whereas in the adult system, records are generally
public. Despite these differences, there are important similarities between the two systems. Both systems
respect the basic legal rights of the accused, like the right to have a lawyer, the right to stay silent, and the right
to a fair trial. Also, both systems have a formal court process that involves hearings, presenting evidence, and
deciding on a punishment. Finally, both young and adult offenders might receive probation, community service,
or other alternative sentences aimed at preventing repeat offenses. These similarities show that both systems
are based on fair treatment and justice, even though they deal with different age groups and have different
goals for helping people improve their behavior.
2. Explore 3 alternative approaches to juvenile detention centers, considering their effectiveness and
potential benefits.
There are three different ways to help young people who have been in trouble with the law. These are
community programs, restorative justice, and therapy. Community programs are things like having a mentor or
© 2024 Strayer University. All Rights Reserved. This document contains Strayer University Confidential and Proprietary information and may not be copied,
further distributed, or otherwise disclosed in whole or in part, without the expressed written permission of Strayer University.
1 of 6
, CRJ180: Juvenile Delinquency and Justice
Week 9 Assignment
joining after-school activities. They help young people by giving them positive things to do and good people to
spend time with. This can keep them from getting in trouble again. It can also help them feel like they belong
and have a purpose, which can stop them from doing bad things in the future.
Restorative justice is a different way of handling crime that focuses on making things right after someone has
been hurt. It does this by bringing together the person who committed the crime and the person who was hurt
in a safe and guided conversation. This can be helpful for young people who did something wrong because it
helps them see how their actions affected someone else. It also encourages them to take responsibility for what
they did and to understand how the other person feels. One good thing about restorative justice is that it can
lead to solutions that work for everyone involved, which usually makes everyone feel better and can help
prevent more crimes from happening.
Therapy can help youth who have been in trouble with the law. Therapy can teach them how to think differently
and make better choices. It gives them a safe place to express themselves and learn how to handle their
feelings. It also helps them see how their actions affect others and encourages them to be more caring and
responsible. And therapy can help families get along better, which is important for having a happy home. By
dealing with these important issues, therapy doesn't just help young people stay out of trouble it also helps
them become good members of society.
3. Examine the dynamics of teen involvement in gangs, considering the factors that attract individuals,
potential incentives for joining, and whether it’s possible to disaffiliate from a gang.
Note: Utilize external resources, such as the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency
Prevention, to research current gang prevention and intervention strategies.
Often, teenagers join gangs because of a mix of reasons like not having a stable family, facing money problems,
and wanting to feel like they belong somewhere. Gangs promise security, friendship, and a feeling of being
important, which some teens may not find anywhere else. Also, the chance to make money through illegal
activities can be very tempting for teens who are struggling financially. Being part of a gang can also make them
feel valued and respected, which they might not get in other parts of their lives.
Leaving a gang is difficult, but it is possible with support from family, organizations, and the police. Many gang
members face the risk of violence when attempting to leave, making it a dangerous decision. But some programs
can help by providing education, job training, and counseling as a way out of gang life. By dealing with the
© 2024 Strayer University. All Rights Reserved. This document contains Strayer University Confidential and Proprietary information and may not be copied,
further distributed, or otherwise disclosed in whole or in part, without the expressed written permission of Strayer University.
2 of 6
Week 9 Assignment
Juvenile Delinquency Q&A
Part One: Juvenile Delinquency
Please answer the following questions using well-developed sentences or short paragraphs, using your own
words. The assignment requires at least 3 credible sources cited in Strayer Writing Standards (SWS) format.
1. Compare the juvenile justice system to the adult justice system, highlighting at least 3 key differences
and 3 similarities.
Both the youth justice system and the adult justice system are meant to keep things fair and safe, but they work
in different ways and have different goals. In the juvenile justice system, the main goal is to help young
offenders change their behavior for the better, while in the adult system, the focus is more on punishing
offenders for their actions. Juvenile courts try to help young offenders become law-abiding members of society,
while adult courts are more about making sure people pay for their crimes and scaring others from breaking the
law.
Another difference is in how they use words and do things. For example, young people in trouble with the law
are called "delinquent" in the juvenile system instead of being called "guilty" of a crime. And the way things are
done in juvenile courts is usually less formal. Juvenile courts try to help young offenders become law-abiding
members of society, while adult courts are more about making sure people pay for their crimes and scaring
others from breaking the law.
In the legal system, young people's privacy is better protected than that of adults. This means that their records
are usually kept confidential or deleted when they grow up, whereas in the adult system, records are generally
public. Despite these differences, there are important similarities between the two systems. Both systems
respect the basic legal rights of the accused, like the right to have a lawyer, the right to stay silent, and the right
to a fair trial. Also, both systems have a formal court process that involves hearings, presenting evidence, and
deciding on a punishment. Finally, both young and adult offenders might receive probation, community service,
or other alternative sentences aimed at preventing repeat offenses. These similarities show that both systems
are based on fair treatment and justice, even though they deal with different age groups and have different
goals for helping people improve their behavior.
2. Explore 3 alternative approaches to juvenile detention centers, considering their effectiveness and
potential benefits.
There are three different ways to help young people who have been in trouble with the law. These are
community programs, restorative justice, and therapy. Community programs are things like having a mentor or
© 2024 Strayer University. All Rights Reserved. This document contains Strayer University Confidential and Proprietary information and may not be copied,
further distributed, or otherwise disclosed in whole or in part, without the expressed written permission of Strayer University.
1 of 6
, CRJ180: Juvenile Delinquency and Justice
Week 9 Assignment
joining after-school activities. They help young people by giving them positive things to do and good people to
spend time with. This can keep them from getting in trouble again. It can also help them feel like they belong
and have a purpose, which can stop them from doing bad things in the future.
Restorative justice is a different way of handling crime that focuses on making things right after someone has
been hurt. It does this by bringing together the person who committed the crime and the person who was hurt
in a safe and guided conversation. This can be helpful for young people who did something wrong because it
helps them see how their actions affected someone else. It also encourages them to take responsibility for what
they did and to understand how the other person feels. One good thing about restorative justice is that it can
lead to solutions that work for everyone involved, which usually makes everyone feel better and can help
prevent more crimes from happening.
Therapy can help youth who have been in trouble with the law. Therapy can teach them how to think differently
and make better choices. It gives them a safe place to express themselves and learn how to handle their
feelings. It also helps them see how their actions affect others and encourages them to be more caring and
responsible. And therapy can help families get along better, which is important for having a happy home. By
dealing with these important issues, therapy doesn't just help young people stay out of trouble it also helps
them become good members of society.
3. Examine the dynamics of teen involvement in gangs, considering the factors that attract individuals,
potential incentives for joining, and whether it’s possible to disaffiliate from a gang.
Note: Utilize external resources, such as the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency
Prevention, to research current gang prevention and intervention strategies.
Often, teenagers join gangs because of a mix of reasons like not having a stable family, facing money problems,
and wanting to feel like they belong somewhere. Gangs promise security, friendship, and a feeling of being
important, which some teens may not find anywhere else. Also, the chance to make money through illegal
activities can be very tempting for teens who are struggling financially. Being part of a gang can also make them
feel valued and respected, which they might not get in other parts of their lives.
Leaving a gang is difficult, but it is possible with support from family, organizations, and the police. Many gang
members face the risk of violence when attempting to leave, making it a dangerous decision. But some programs
can help by providing education, job training, and counseling as a way out of gang life. By dealing with the
© 2024 Strayer University. All Rights Reserved. This document contains Strayer University Confidential and Proprietary information and may not be copied,
further distributed, or otherwise disclosed in whole or in part, without the expressed written permission of Strayer University.
2 of 6
