JUVENILE JUSTICE Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

JUVENILE JUSTICE - Essay Example It is also important to note that the procedure and organization found between the adult and juvenile court systems vary greatly (Snyder, 2001). In Alabama, after committing the crime, Juveniles are detained as compared to being arrested. A petition is drawn up next whereby the juvenile court’s jurisdictional authority over the detained individual and offense serves the minor’s family as notice and offers the basis for the convergence of the court, and acts as the official document for charging. The juvenile’s case is adjudicated, once it is in court, and a disposition is passed. The governmental Act that entails Freedom of Information access to everyone means that the adult records can be viewed by anyone, whereas, juvenile records are considered as sealed documents. This measure is meant for protecting the minors so that their single mistake in life does not become a barrier throughout their life. Juvenile records may be expunged once the minor offender reaches 18 years provided they meet the set state criteria. In addition, unlike the adult court procedures the juvenile courts proceedings are far less formal. The least detrimental options often form the main basis for a juvenile case disposition. Therefore, the parents’ patriae legacy remains clear (Mays & Winfree, 2000). Juvenile dispositions use of indeterminate sentencing is often a constant source of controversy for the juvenile courts. Under this sentencing, the judges are given power to determine and decide the type of sentence that will be carried out. Juveniles, in such cases, are watched during their detained periods and only when the judge completely considers them fully rehabilitated, then they can be released. This arrangement, according to critics, allows the judge to have too much discretion, and therefore should not be considered as a detrimental punishment. The three main ways that a court is typically