NVCC COLLEGE-WIDE COURSE CONTENT SUMMARY
ADJ 105 - THE JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM (3 CR.)

COURSE DESCRIPTION

Presents the evolution, philosophy, structures and processes of the American juvenile delinquency system; surveys the right of juveniles, dispositional alternatives, rehabilitation methods, and current trends. Lecture 3 hours per week.

GENERAL COURSE PURPOSE

The purpose of the course is to provide the student with an overview of the juvenile offender, the types of violations committed by them, reasons for the misbehavior, and how our juvenile legal system works to rehabilitate the offender.

ENTRY LEVEL COMPETENCIES

None

COURSE OBJECTIVES

Upon completion of this course, the student should be able to:

A. explain the functioning of the juvenile justice system (law enforcement, juvenile court, juvenile corrections)

B. study causes of youth crime and the role of the citizen in helping their young people
    C. emphasize the importance of rehabilitative and reductive efforts in both juvenile and adult crime
MAJOR TOPICS TO BE INCLUDED
    A. History of juvenile crime and attempts by society to deal with it

    B. Philosophy of our juvenile justice system

    C. Role of law enforcement

    D. The Juvenile Court (judge, probation officer)

    E. Juvenile detention

    F. Crime causation theories

    G. Child abuse

    H. Runaways

    I. Child pornography

    J. Supreme Court decisions and their impact

    K .Constitutional rights of juveniles

    L. Youth gangs

    M. Peer group influences

    N. Family responsibilities

EXTRA TOPICS (optional)

Related topics at the discretion of the instructor

Revised 9/99

 Back to Top                                                Back Page