The juvenile justice system is a multifaceted entity that continually changes under the influence of decisions, policies, and laws. The all new Fourth Edition of Juvenile Justice: A Social, Historical, and Legal Perspective, offers readers a clear and comprehensive look at exaclty what it is and how it works. Reader friendly and up-to-date, this text unravels the complexities of the juvenile justice system by exploring the history, theory, and components of the juvenile justice process and how they relate.

Juvenile Justice: An Introduction is a student-friendly analysis of all aspects of the juvenile justice system. The book covers the history and development of the juvenile justice system and the unique issues related to juveniles, including police interaction, court processes, due process, movements toward diversion and deinstitutionalization, and community intervention. This book also examines particular issues within juvenile justice, such as female delinquency, gang delinquency, and the use of the death penalty and Life Without Parole with juveniles. Evidence-based suggestions for successful interventions and treatment are included, with a focus on performing cost-benefit analyses of what works versus what is ineffective with juveniles. The book concludes with a look to the future of the juvenile court, including the real possibility of abolition. Provides an engaging introduction to all aspects of the juvenile justice system in America. This seventh edition builds on a trusted and well-known textbook with new material on key issues such as sexting, bullying, social media, and the issues of non-delinquent youths. Robust offerings for students include study questions, discussion questions, "What You Need to Know" sections in each chapter, key terms identified, online case study questions, and links to relevant websites. Instructors are provided with helpful test question banks, lesson plans, sample syllabi, PowerPoint lecture slides, and links to useful websites. Glossary consolidates key terms with definitions.

This book will expand students’ understanding of the evolution of juvenile justice in the last 50 years. Designed to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the landmark case, In re Gault, which the Court decided in 1967, the authors frame the developments and transformations that have occurred in the intervening years. Topics covered include an overview of the dramatic changes to field following the spike youth violence in the 1990s, the ‘superpredator’ myth, and sanctions for juvenile offenders—particularly the 2005 abolition of the death penalty and subsequent decision on life without parole. The book also covers child and youth victimization and recent prevention and treatment initiatives

The juvenile justice system in the United States has become a detrimental rather than a remedial experience, one that often reinforces youths' defiance of authority. Trying juveniles as adults, overcrowding juvenile detention facilities, and other factors have led to the deterioration of a system whose original intent was to protect immature youngsters who might get arrested for truancy or joyriding. The present system is ill equipped to cope with today's children who may be arrested for violent crimes such as rape and murder. This has led to an intense pessimism. Balancing Juvenile Justice, now in an expanded, revised edition, is a comprehensive discussion of the primary considerations policymakers should use in striking a balance between holding youths responsible for past behavior, and providing services and opportunities so that their future behavior will be guided by constructive, rather than destructive, forces. The topics covered include: trends in philosophy and politics; a review of state and local reforms in juvenile justice; the changing role of the juvenile court; development of a balanced continuum of correctional programs; and strategies for reform. The authors emphasize that while juvenile offenders should pay for their crimes, it is equally urgent to realize that adult neglect, abuse, rescinding needed resources, and stigmatizing of youth will only ensure that crime and criminal justice become permanent distinguishing features of the United States. This new edition of Balancing Juvenile Justice will be compelling reading for sociologists, criminologists, juvenile justice practitioners, and policymakers.