Sociology

System Comparison Matrix
Juvenile Justice SystemAdult Justice SystemBothCourt jurisdiction is determined by age.
Individuals on trial do not have a right to a jury trial.
Purpose of procedures is to protect and treat.
Proceedings are not considered criminal.
Court proceedings are private.The purpose of the procedure us to punish the guilty.
Individuals on trial have the constitutional right to a jury trial.
Court proceedings are public.
Court jurisdiction is determined by offense.
Proceedings are considered criminal.Individuals arrested have the right to receive Miranda warnings.
Individuals have the right to counsel.
There is the ability to negotiate and plea bargain.
Justice system personnel use discretion.
Prosecutors and defense attorneys are key players in proceedings.
Issues Impacting the Juvenile Court System

The similarities and differences of the juvenile and adult justice systems identify the respective objectives and processes of these justice systems. It is observable that the juvenile justice system aims to rehabilitate and protect juvenile offenders in order for them to be given a chance to change their ways and become productive citizens of their country. In addition, the juvenile justice system was also developed in order for juvenile offenders not to be associated with hardened criminals. However, the conflicting values in the juvenile justice system raises some issues regarding the efficiency of the system (CNN, 2005).

The juvenile justice system is grounded on the doctrine of parens patriae, which allows it to give the necessary treatment to juvenile offenders in accordance with the doctrine. Nevertheless, over the past century, the juvenile court is having difficulties in providing the treatment for juvenile offenders and at the same time ensuring that they are given the constitutional due process. In addition, the juvenile justice system are also bombarded with violent juvenile crime and family breakdown, which is why some judges and politicians argue that juvenile system should be eradicated. In relation to this, experts who advocate the retention an independent juvenile court also asserted that the juvenile justice system should be restructured. On the other hand, crime control advocates suggested that the jurisdiction of the juvenile court should be limited and that prosecutors should be given more freedom to try juveniles charged with serious crimes in adult courts. Moreover, child advocates also believe that the court should scale back its judicial role and give it to community groups and social service agencies (CNN, 2005).

The difficulties that the juvenile justice system is facing should be address properly. In doing so, eliminating the juvenile justice system is not the answer to the problem because juvenile offenders should not be under the jurisdiction of adult courts and most especially be associated with hardened criminals. Being the case, it is more appropriate if the juvenile justice system would be restructured in order to address the weaknesses and problems of this justice system. By doing so, the juvenile justice system could still protect the welfare of juvenile offenders and at the same time helping them change their untoward behavior.