History Of Juvenile Justice

History of Juvenile Justice

*created in the late 1800's to reform U.S. policies regarding youthful offenders

*early on children were treated as chattels of adults without any rights

*if found guilty they were sentenced just as adults were

*New York City House of Refuge, the first youth prison opened in 1825

*during the 1800's the juvenile justice system exercised its authority within a "parens patriae" which meant state as parent or guardian role. The state assumed responsibility of parenting the children until they begin to show changes

*Many refuge homes were similar to orphanages

*the refuge houses provided education, physical exercise, and supervision

*Illinois adopted the first juvenile code in 1899 and established the country's first juvenile court

*prior to 1900 at least ten children under the age of fourteen had been executed

*Illinois law focused on the offender's character rather than the offense

*the mission of juvenile courts was to make the youth productive citizens

*in the 1920's professional and mental health services available through the courts were expanded

*Kent vs. U.S.(1966) was the first case requiring a special hearing before any transfers to adult court

*In re Gault(1967) case that determined the constitution requires separate juvenile justice system with

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