Most importantly, you will apply sociological explanations/theories of delinquency and chapter concepts and terms throughout the assignment.
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To prepare, be sure to review the concepts and theories that have been included on the reading quizzes study guide that has been available since the first day of class. You want to pay special attention to Chapter 4: Sociological Views of Delinquency, and Chapter 5: Developmental Explanations of Delinquency.
Juvenile Delinquency: The Core, 6th ed. Authors: Larry J. Siegel and Brandon C. Welsh, Press:
Cengage Learning, Year:2016, ISBN 13: 978-1-305-57741-1
• Proficient application of the sociological and developmental explanations/theories of delinquency. (30pts)
o Chapter 4: Sociological Views of Delinquency, and Chapter 5: Developmental Explanations of Delinquency.
• Proficient application of chapter concepts and key terms (30pts)
• Thorough reflection of simulation prompt questions, with the use of chapter key terms and concepts (30 pts)
• Demonstrates proficient sentence structure, grammar use, and idea development by effectively using course content in the following manner (10pts):
o Apply- Make a relevant or valid connection.
o Synthesize- Combine two or more things to create something more complex.
o Analyze- examine content in detail for purposes of explanation and interpretation.
Be sure to works through this assignment in sequential order and pay attention to the in instructions provided.
Only complete this assignment if your last name begins with A-E
Instructions: You have been provided a juvenile profile. You will navigate, and reflect upon multiple scenarios. The assignment will culminate in a 2- 3-page type-written, double-spaced essay. Feel free to complete this assignment in increments.
Your Profile:
Juvenile #1
You are a straight-A student at Good Times High School. You have a good family, participate in student government and play on the soccer team. You and a of couple friends went into Bartell Drugs at lunch. While you weren’t paying attention, one of your friends stuck some merchandise in your backpack. When store security stopped you at the door, they found the items in your backpack and detained you. Proceed to Station #1 to find out what the security decides to do.
Juvenile #1 / Station #1
Taken into Custody – To arrest a juvenile, the police must have probable cause to believe the juvenile has committed an offense or have a valid arrest warrant.
The police come and decide to arrest you. You suspect that it’s just because a lot of people steal from this store, but you are worried because you are currently applying for college and college scholarships. Also, your parents are really into discipline; you know they won’t let you get off easy, even if you didn’t intend to do anything wrong. Go to Station #2.
Station #1 (Complete the reflection below)
1. Title:
2. What happened?
3. Why?
4. How would you feel if this happened to you? Have you or any of your peers had a similar experience?
Juvenile #1 / Station #2
Juvenile Court Intake – The intake process consists of an informal process by which court officials or social workers decide if a complaint against a juvenile should be referred to juvenile court. They usually make this decision after interviewing the youth and considering the seriousness of the offense, the past record of the accused, his or her family situation and other factors.
The intake worker decides that, based on your lack of juvenile record, you can be released to the custody of your parents. You call your parents who come down to the police station. The police release you into their custody, although you think you may have preferred to stay at the police station. Go to Station #3.
Station #2 (Complete the reflection below)
1. Title:
2. What happened?
3. Why?
4. How would you feel if this happened to you? Have you or any of your peers had a similar experience?
Juvenile #1 / Station #3
Prosecuting Attorney – After placing a juvenile under arrest, the police file a report with the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. The Prosecuting Attorney is a lawyer who works for the County and represents the community. The Prosecuting Attorney screens the report for legal sufficiency and decides which offense, if any, should be charged. If the case is legally sufficient and the Prosecuting Attorney determines that charges should be filed, they may “divert” the case, or file an information with the juvenile court.
The prosecutor decided to divert your case, citing the minimal value of the items stolen and the fact that you don’t have a record. Diversions are not supposed to appear on your record, although the arrest will come up if anyone performs a criminal background check. Diversions are preferable to other outcomes, but they don’t eliminate all the consequences of your actions. You also have to complete the diversion requirements. Go to Station #4.
Station #3 (Complete the reflection below)
1. Title:
2. What happened?
3. Why?
4. How would you feel if this happened to you? Have you or any of your peers had a similar experience?
Juvenile #1 / Station #4
Diversion – If the prosecutor diverts the case, the juvenile does not go to court. Instead, the juvenile meets with a diversion worker or with an “accountability board.” The board is a group of people from the local area. Board members are unpaid volunteers. The worker or board discuss the offense with the juvenile and decide on a reasonable consequence. That consequence is then incorporated into a “Diversion Agreement”. A diversion agreement may include any of the following: volunteer (unpaid) work; counseling; paying a fine; and paying “restitution.” Restitution is money paid to the victim for damages they suffered as a result of an offense. It can also be the cost of paying for doctor bills if the juvenile hurt a person. The juvenile must agree to the decision of the worker or board by signing the diversion agreement.
The accountability board decided to require volunteer work, as well as a written essay. Go to Station #5 to find your essay topic.
Station #4 (Complete the reflection below)
1. Title:
2. What happened?
3. Why?
4. How would you feel if this happened to you? Have you or any of your peers had a similar experience?
Juvenile #1 / Station #5
Diversion Agreement –
Petty crimes can be fairly trivial. Many teenagers steal small items under peer pressure or as a rite of passage. However, sometimes these small crimes develop into a larger pattern of crime.
• Write a 2-3 page essay on how you think the justice system should respond to adolescent crime. Do you think a low tolerance for petty crime will prevent a larger pattern of crime in the future, or do you think adolescents are less capable of evaluating consequences and should not be punished for their criminal activity?
• Do you think an experience in a detention facility is helpful in prohibiting crime, or should the justice system use more counseling or education services?
• Do you think that serious crimes committed by juveniles should be treated as adult crimes or juvenile infractions.
Completing Your Essay
You will write a 2-3 page, double spaced essay formatted,assignment that includes at least 5-chapter key terms from chapter 1-6 lessons that have been covered in the course thus far.
You must also apply at least one sociological theories, from chapter 4, and one developmental theory from chapter 5 that explains juvenile delinquency in your discussion. Demonstrate your understanding by,
• first, identifying the theory.
• second, discuss the tenets and principles of the theory you select in your own words.
• third, follow your discussion of the theory with relative discussion of your reflection from the from the reading, video lessons, and/or supplemental readings.
