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Trend of Juvenile Justice in the United States, England, and Ireland

NCJ Number
158490
Journal
Dickinson Journal of International Law Volume: 13 Issue: 3 Dated: (Spring 1995) Pages: 567-597
Author(s)
S K Hamric-Weis
Date Published
1995
Length
31 pages
Annotation
This article analyzes the positions of the United States, England, and Ireland in their recent legislative efforts concerning juvenile justice.
Abstract
Part II briefly discusses the historical background of the United States' management of juvenile offenders before enactment of the current Crime Law. This part then focuses on the new law's provisions that address juvenile justice, including the trend to treat juveniles as adults and the probable elimination of provisions in the Crime Law that address prevention. Part II also profiles a unique program in Giddings, Tex., that attempts to rehabilitate violent offenders. Part III assesses England's attempt to control juvenile crime, evaluating its harsher position on juvenile justice as reflected in the recently passed Criminal Justice Act. In discussing Ireland, Part IV examines its long overdue proposal to replace an archaic juvenile justice system with a sweeping Juvenile Justice Bill. A summary of each country's current position on juvenile justice is provided in Part V. The author argues that the elimination of crime prevention in the U.S. Crime Law disregards the best interests of the child and leaves little hope of either crime prevention or the rehabilitation of juvenile offenders. Further, by passing the Criminal Justice Act, England has acted too hastily to solve the complex problem of juvenile crime. Ireland has made a positive effort toward combatting juvenile crime by preparing to draft the Juvenile Justice Bill. Until passage of this bill, the juvenile justice system remains outdated for the complexities of the modern day. 192 footnotes