Discussion 1: Select And Post Your Response To One Situation

Discussion1select And Post Your Response To One Situation From Any Cha

Discussion 1: Select and post your response to ONE situation from any chapter that interests you the most. The scenario involves a police officer encountering juveniles attempting to steal alcohol, and the decision-making process regarding how to handle different groups involved, including the juveniles, the store owner, and the legal approach to use.

Chapter 7: You are a police officer who encounters several juveniles trying to steal a 12-pack of beer from some other juveniles, who have just bought the beer from a nearby liquor store. You break up the disturbance with your partner, and now you must decide what to do. The juveniles who tried to steal the beer did not hurt anyone and were only after the alcohol. Both groups are too young to drink and are known to be truant occasionally but have no criminal record. The liquor store owner sells alcohol to minors, but this is the first time you've caught juveniles in the act.

Questions for discussion include how to handle the juveniles who tried to steal the beer, whether to punish them for attempted robbery, possession of alcohol, or both, how to treat the juveniles who bought the beer regarding their rights as victims, how to handle the liquor store owner who sold the beer, and which law enforcement approach (legalistic, watchman, or service) is most appropriate. Consider whether to treat different groups differently, such as applying a watchman approach to the juveniles and a legalistic approach to the store owner.

Chapter 8: Using the Internet, research the cases of Kent v. United States, In re Gault, and In re Winship. Write about each juvenile's biological background and current status, then answer questions about who you found most sympathetic, whether you see yourself in their positions, and if any should be considered for rehabilitation.

Discussion 2: Select and comment on one scenario from any chapter that interests you. Chapter 9. Read "The Color of Justice" at the Building Blocks for Youth website, then answer questions about racial disparities in waivers to adult court, including reasons beyond racism and differences among racial and ethnic groups.

Chapter 10: Interview friends about a hypothetical juvenile murder case involving a 15-year-old with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome who murdered a younger boy. Discuss options including juvenile status, waiver to adult court, or blended sentencing, and convey your and your friends' opinions on what is most appropriate for such an offender, at least two paragraphs.

Discussion 3: Select and respond to one chapter scenario of interest. Chapter 11. Visit the International Institute for Restorative Practices website and review articles on the implementation of restorative justice, particularly practical applications. Answer in two paragraphs how restorative justice functions in a specific case, its benefits over sanctions, and potential drawbacks.

Chapter 12: Review the Texas Youth Commission's approaches to Basic and Specialized Correctional Treatment. Explain how these methods differ, consider their effectiveness, and justify whether they seem successful or not.

Paper For Above instruction

The selected scenario for this paper involves a police officer's decision-making process when encountering juveniles attempting to steal alcohol, as described in Chapter 7. This situation provides a comprehensive context to analyze various law enforcement approaches and juvenile justice principles. Handling juvenile offenders requires balancing legal obligations, ethical considerations, and effective rehabilitation strategies. The case involves multiple aspects: minors caught trying to steal beer, minors who purchased alcohol, and the liquor store owner who sold alcohol to minors. Each group presents unique challenges and opportunities for law enforcement action, which this paper explores in depth.

When approaching the juveniles who attempted to steal beer, the officer must decide whether to treat their actions as attempted robbery, possession of alcohol by minors, or both. Given their age, lack of prior criminal records, and the fact that no violence was involved, a punitive approach might not be most effective. Instead, a restorative or diversionary measure could promote accountability and reintegration into the community. For instance, issuing a warning, engaging them in community service, or requiring education about the dangers of underage drinking might serve as appropriate responses. Punishing them severely for attempted theft might not address underlying issues such as curiosity, peer pressure, or lack of supervision.

Regarding the juveniles who bought the alcohol, their rights as victims are limited, but they might be engaged as witnesses or through restorative practices to understand the impact of underage drinking. They could also benefit from educational interventions or counseling to prevent future delinquency. The liquor store owner presents a different challenge: legally, he appears to be the primary violator, as he sold alcohol to minors, which is often a criminal offense. If law enforcement chooses a legalistic approach, issuing fines or citations would be appropriate. Conversely, a service or community-based approach might involve working with the store to improve compliance and prevent future sales to minors, possibly through education or partnerships with community organizations.

Deciding on the overarching law enforcement approach involves choosing among legalistic, watchman, or service strategies. A legalistic approach emphasizes strict enforcement of laws and punishments, suitable when the primary goal is deterrence. The watchman style focuses on maintaining order and community stability, favoring discretion over harsh punishment. The service approach prioritizes problem-solving, prevention, and rehabilitation. In this scenario, a hybrid strategy might be most effective: utilizing a legalistic approach with the store owner to enforce laws strictly, while applying a watchman or service approach to the juveniles to foster positive development and prevent recidivism. For instance, providing counseling, mentorship, or community service to the youths aligns with a service approach, promoting their growth and community safety.

Overall, this scenario underscores the importance of tailored law enforcement responses that consider offenders' developmental stages, community context, and legal obligations. It highlights how integrating restorative justice principles and a balanced enforcement approach can lead to better outcomes for juveniles, communities, and the justice system.

References

  • Bazemore, G., & Umbreit, M. (1995). Balanced and Restorative Justice: Program Summary. Juvenile Justice Bulletin, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention.
  • Clamp, M. (2020). Juvenile Justice Law and Practice. Routledge.
  • Goldson, B. (2014). Beyond Care: Child Justice Reformed? Theoretical and Critical Perspectives in Juvenile Justice. Routledge.
  • Hockenberry, S., & Puzzanchera, C. (2017). Juvenile Court Statistics 2015. Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention.
  • National Center for Juvenile Justice. (2018). Juvenile Court Statistics 2016.
  • Stahl, B. (2017). Understanding Juvenile Justice: Policy, Theory, and Practice. Cengage Learning.
  • Umbreit, M., & Zeehandelar, D. (2000). Restorative Justice Dialogue: An Essential Guide. Good Books.
  • Wilson, D., & Moffitt, T. (2015). Juvenile Crime and Justice: An International Perspective. Routledge.
  • Walker, S. (2012). The Juvenile Justice System: Delinquency, Process, and the Law. Routledge.
  • Zehr, H. (2002). The Little Book of Restorative Justice. Good Books.