Argues that the perception of increasing youth violence is based on fiction rather than fact. Provides the facts involved in the juvenile justice policy focusing on the differences between juvenile and adult violence, youth violence trends, population trends, and three legal policy issues toward adolescent violence. Offers juvenile crime…

Examines the developments in child abuse reporting laws and related legislation since the battered child syndrome was first identified in 1962. Discusses statistics and identifies areas in which legislative and judicial reform are necessary. Includes a list of American Bar Association publications dealing with child abuse and neglect. (GEA)

Discusses whether juveniles who commit criminal law violations should be tried in the same courts as adults. Addresses the issue of transfers that is a legal mechanism used to move youth to criminal court. Considers alternative proposals for handling youth brought to the judicial system and the role of the federal government. (CMK)

Briefly reviews contemporary delinquency problems and Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention programs aimed at preventing them. Discusses how law-related education (LRE) is being used successfully in training schools (reformatories) and public schools to help young people avoid drugs, alcohol, crime, and other forms of delinquency.…

Presented are classroom activities to help secondary students learn about the history of the juvenile justice system, adolescent rights and responsibilities, pressure on youth, and the role of the police. (RM)

States that in the past juvenile courts afforded children with fewer rights than criminal courts accorded to adults accused of the same crimes. Reviews three U.S. Supreme Court cases that affirmed the constitutional rights of juvenile offenders and changed juvenile court proceedings. Discusses whether the juvenile death penalty violates…

Discusses the juvenile justice system and the issues facing it. Provides a brief history of the development of the juvenile justice system. Points out that the quest for justice is influenced by cultural context and is not confined to the court system. Concludes that access to justice is an evolutionary process. (KO)

Offers four judges' perspectives on the various changes in the juvenile court system focusing on the increased violence among juveniles as having the greatest effect on the courts; includes issues such as juveniles being tried in adult courts, the need to improve juvenile courts, and the role of public interest. (CMK)

Believes that the drop in urban teenage crime can be attributed to the change in how communities meet the needs of children and teenagers. Compares the U.S. cities with successful youth programs to ones that lack resources. Recommends that suburban and rural communities should also adopt programs to combat youth crime and violence. (CMK)

Reviews factors which contribute to delinquency: among them poverty, unemployment, negative role models, child abuse, and low self-esteem. Presents findings from a three-year study of violence conducted in California and provides information on how to contact the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention's clearinghouse on juvenile…

Describes two activities designed to introduce students in grades 5-9 to the topics of juvenile delinquency and juvenile justice. The first uses a continuum and ranking exercise to assess student positions on topics and the second uses case studies and a court role-playing exercise to present actual court litigation. (GEA)

Discusses drug and alcohol abuse by young people and outlines federal and state laws that deal with the problem. Describes the more popular drugs and their effects and lists the warning signs of abuse. Provides information about organizations that help abusers and their families. (GEA)

Gayle Mertz offers simulations covering balloting and the juvenile court system along with a legislation drafting activity. Mercedes J. Newsome provides guidance on the use of community resource persons. Teri Wilson's activity simulates a juvenile proceeding while Richard Marcroft and Elenor Taylor describe a simulation of small claims court. (KO)

Stresses the need for law-related education early in the curriculum. Identifies appreciation of an ordered society, understanding of the mainstream value system, awareness of legal concepts, and recognition of the legal processes as important goals of these courses. Calls for fostering a positive self-image in students. (KO)

Contends that the juvenile court system should be abolished because its paternalistic underpinnings fundamentally are inconsistent with children's rights. Asserts that current theories of human rights are tied to competency, which has been used historically to exclude women and minority groups from the category of rights holders. (CFR)