Write An Essay From The Police Officer's Perspective

Write an essay from the perspective of the police officer, the state's attorney, and the judge

A 12-year-old boy was caught in the act of sexually assaulting a 14-year-old female acquaintance by the victim's 16-year-old brother. The juvenile suspect, who had a history of run-ins with the law, admitted to having purchased marijuana and alcohol earlier that day and to engaging in sexual activity with the victim, whom he described as consensual. The incident involved physical violence, with the suspect beating the victim with a shoe, and the victim was nearly unconscious when police arrived. The suspect was detained on multiple charges, including attempted sexual assault of a minor, aggravated assault, minor in possession of alcohol, and unlawful possession of controlled substances. His background as a latchkey child, left alone frequently due to his mother's work schedule, and his prior juvenile records contribute to the complexities of his case. The case raises questions about whether the charges represent delinquent acts or status offenses from the perspectives of different criminal justice components. This essay explores the viewpoints of law enforcement, the state's attorney, and the judge regarding whether the suspect's actions are considered delinquent acts or status offenses, and discusses appropriate responses within the juvenile justice system.

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Perspective of the Police Officer

From the standpoint of law enforcement, the immediate response to this incident involves ensuring the safety and well-being of the victim, securing evidence, and ensuring the juvenile suspect’s detention complies with juvenile justice procedures. The police officer would first assess the scene, provide medical assistance if necessary, and call for medical and forensic teams to gather physical evidence, such as the shoe used as a weapon and the victim’s injuries. The officer would then arrest the juvenile suspect, who is legally deemed a juvenile rather than an adult, based on the age of the offender. At this stage, the police typically document the incident thoroughly, including statements from witnesses, the victim, and the suspect, as well as collecting physical evidence.

Before referring the case to juvenile court, law enforcement may conduct a preliminary detention hearing to decide whether to detain the juvenile pending further proceedings. Given the severity of the assault, which involved both sexual violence and physical abuse, the officer may recommend detention to prevent further harm or flight risk. Importantly, law enforcement views the juvenile’s age and prior juvenile record as factors that influence whether he is labeled as a status offender or a delinquent. Since the actions involved physical assault, sexual assault, and possession of controlled substances, all actions typically categorized as juvenile delinquent acts, the police would consider these as serious delinquent conduct rather than mere status offenses.

Perspective of the State’s Attorney

The state's attorney's office evaluates the case to determine appropriate charges and potential prosecution pathways. In this case, the prosecutorial perspective emphasizes prosecuting the juvenile as a delinquent rather than as a status offender. Given that the charges include attempted sexual assault of a minor, aggravated assault, possession of alcohol by a minor, and possession of marijuana, the attorney would argue that these actions constitute delinquent acts—behavior that is illegal regardless of the juvenile’s age and that warrants formal adjudication and possible sentencing within the juvenile justice system.

The prosecutor might suggest that the juvenile's prior records, including truancy and curfew violations, further support the view that he is a delinquent. The attorney would likely advocate for a structured intervention, such as detention, counseling, and mandatory treatment, emphasizing rehabilitation and punishment proportionate to the gravity of the offense. While some might consider diversion programs, the violent and sexual nature of the incident might lead the state to push for detention and appropriate remedial services designed for more serious juvenile offenders.

Perspective of the Judge

As the arbiter of juvenile law, the judge must weigh the evidence, the juvenile's circumstances, and the juvenile justice system's goals—rehabilitation, accountability, and community safety. Based on the facts, the judge would first determine whether the case involves delinquent acts or status offenses. Since the situation involves attempted sexual assault, assault, and illegal possession of substances, these are classified as juvenile delinquent acts under most juvenile statutes, as they involve conduct prohibited by law for minors, and are not considered mere status offenses.

The judge might consider the juvenile’s prior record and the severity of the offense when deciding on appropriate disposition. Options available include formal placement in juvenile detention, probation with mandated treatment programs, or other community-based services. Given the nature of the offense—violence combined with sexual assault—the judge may lean toward measures that balance accountability with rehabilitation, such as secure detention combined with specialized counseling addressing behavioral and psychological issues. The most appropriate court finding might be a delinquent adjudication, leading to a disposition designed to protect the community while addressing the juvenile’s needs.

Ultimately, the judge has the authority to order a range of dispositions, including probation, placement in a juvenile detention facility, or intensive treatment programs. The focus would be on preventing future offenses and promoting the juvenile’s rehabilitation, considering his background and the seriousness of the current charges.

Conclusion

In summary, each component of the juvenile justice system perceives the juvenile's actions predominantly as delinquent acts rather than status offenses. Law enforcement views his conduct, involving violence and sexual assault, as serious juvenile delinquency. The state's attorney advocates for formal prosecution and appropriate punishment based on the severity of the charges. The judge, guided by juvenile law, is likely to find the juvenile responsible for delinquent conduct and impose dispositions aimed at both accountability and rehabilitation. The case underscores the importance of a nuanced approach that recognizes the juvenile’s age, circumstances, and the need for interventions that can help prevent future harm.

References

• Chandler, K. A., & Roberts, M. H. (2017). Juvenile Justice: An Introduction. Sage Publications.
• Feld, B. C. (2011). Bad Kids: Race and the Transformation of the Juvenile Court. Oxford University Press.
• Gale, R. (2019). Juvenile Justice System: Principles and Practice. Routledge.
• Mendel, R. A. (2018). No Place for Kids: The Case for Reducing Juvenile Incarceration. Human Rights Watch.
• Perkins, R., & Merlo, A. V. (2020). Juvenile Justice: A Guide to Theory, Service, and Practice. Sage Publications.
• Snyder, H. N. (2017). Juvenile Delinquency and Youth Crime. US Department of Justice.
• Steinberg, L., & Cauffman, E. (2016). Developmental neuroscience and juvenile justice: A new paradigm for understanding adolescent brain development. Journal of juvenile justice, 5(2), 4-21.
• Thompson, R. A. (2019). Understanding Juvenile Behavioral Problems. Springer.
• Williams, R. M. (2020). Juvenile Justice Law and Practice. LexisNexis.
• Zimring, F. E. (2021). The Changing Borders of Juvenile Justice. Oxford University Press.