Project Title
Introduction
Juvenile Justice System is a system established to handle and tackle juvenile delinquency. The system comprises of several juvenile courts across the United States, which are bestowed with the responsibility of juvenile delinquency. The system works on the fundamental principal of deterring juveniles from crimes through reforming them. Adult juvenile system is a system established to tackle and handle cases of adult criminals. The adult justice system has mechanisms that guarantee adults are punished for crimes committed. Juvenile and adult justice systems have several similarities in terms of their rights and responsibilities. However, it is also apparent that the two systems can be distinguished from one another. This is merely because of the eminent differences.
Comparison and Contrast between the Juvenile and Adult Justice Systems
The juvenile and adult justice systems have similarities. The similarities evident are in term of rights bestowed to both the juveniles and adult offenders. The similarities include the following. First, both the juvenile and adult court systems have the right to attorney. Second, both the juvenile and adult justice system have the right to cross-examine and confront a witness. Third, both the juvenile and adult justice system enjoy the Miranda rights or the right against self-incrimination. Lastly, in both the juvenile and adult justice system, the prosecutor is required to provide tangible evidence that can incriminate the defendant. A failure to provide the evidence will lead to case dismissal (Jose & Hansaria, 2010).
Despite presence of similarities there are also differences between the juvenile and adult justice systems. The first eminent contrast between juvenile and adult justice system is juveniles are prosecuted for delinquent acts rather than crimes. Second, adult justice systems subject suspects to a public jury trial. This is converse to juveniles. The juveniles are exposed to adjudication hearings. Third, in juvenile justice system when the court affirms that the juvenile is delinquent the court decides on suitable action to take. This is contrary to adult justice systems. The adults are punished according to the constitutional requirements. Lastly, juvenile courts are more informal in comparison to adult courts, which are strictly formal (Fradella & Neubauer, 2010).
Analysis of the Similarities and Differences
Both the juvenile and adult justice system have the right to an attorney. This is simply because it is stipulated in the Fifth Amendment, which requires suspects to have an attorney or provided by the state. Second it is obvious that cross examination and confrontation is crucial during the court case proceeding. This is to scrutinize the credibility of witness assertions. The cross examination and confrontation can either be carried out by the attorney of the defendant or defendants themselves. Third, before an arrest of either a juvenile or an adult the law enforcing agents are expected to make aware the suspect on their right to remain silent and self-incrimination. This simply means a juvenile or an adult cannot implicate themselves on a crime committed (Loeber & Farrington, 2012).
In terms of the differences, first, the prosecution of delinquent acts for juvenile is chiefly because juveniles are under the required age to distinguish between a crime and a societal norm. Second, adults often have a public jury trial merely because the prosecution has to prove the defendant is guilty. This is not the case for juveniles. The juveniles have an adjudication hearing to allege their delinquency. Third, a confirmation by the court that a juvenile is delinquent paves way for rehabilitation and not punishment. This is merely because the juvenile systems are guided by the notion of reforming in comparison to punishing the juvenile. However, in the case of the adult the constitution stipulates the punishments for different crimes that a judge has to adhere to when making the ruling. Finally, the juvenile courts are more informal because of the need to reform a juvenile in comparison to punishing them. This is in contrast to adults which are formal. This is to emphasize on the decisiveness of the crime committed (Jose & Hansaria, 2010).
Principles behind the Differences in Juvenile and Adult Justice System
The eminent differences between the juvenile and adult court system are based on the following principles. The first eminent principle is the types of crimes propagated by juveniles in comparison to adults. There are specified deliquesces that are merely perpetuated by juveniles. These offenses include shop lifting, vandalism and graffiti. The second principle is the need to reform of juvenile and punish adult criminals. Juveniles are easily reformed to stop being delinquent without punishment. This is contrary to adult who have to be subjected to punishment to deter them from crimes. The last principle is the nature and reasons behind why juveniles are delinquent. Most juveniles are delinquent merely because of peer pressure influence, poor parental guidance or influence from surrounding environment (Cole, Smith & DeJong, 2012).
Conclusion
Eminent similarities and differences are apparent between juvenile and adult justice systems. This is merely because of differences in principles behind crimes committed. The juvenile court systems are majorly structured on the need to reform juvenile in comparison to punishing them. This is contrary to adult justice system. The basis of adult justice system is to punish the offenders to deter them from crimes. Reforming of the criminals is a feeble to the main significance of punishing the adult offenders.
References
Cole, C., Smith, C. & DeJong, C. (2012). The American System of Criminal Justice, 13ed. Cengage Learning.
Fradella, H. & Neubauer, D. (2010). America's Courts and the Criminal Justice System. Washington: Cengage Learning.
Jose, P. & Hansaria, V. (2010). Juvenile Justice System. Universal Law Publishing.
Loeber, R. & Farrington, D. (2012). From Juvenile Delinquency to Adult Crime: Criminal Careers, Justice Policy and Prevention. Oxford University Press.
