JUVENILE PROBATION SYSTEM

Juvenile Probation System

Juvenile Probation System

Introduction

The term Juvenile Probation is self-explanatory and means the trail of children who commit or involved in certain crime or offense. A juvenile is referred to a child less than 18 years of age. According to encyclopedia Encarta, a minor or juvenile is a “legal term for those under the age of majority, which varies from country to country but is usually between 18 and 21. Most civic and legal rights and duties accrue only at the age of majority: for example, the rights to vote, to make a will, and (usually) to make a fully binding contract, and the duty to act as a juror. In the United States the age of majority for voting (and most other purposes in most states) has been 18 since 1971”. (Minor, Encarta) However, in case of any criminal act, most of the laws of the federating states term child as one less than 17 years of age. (Acker & Brody 2009)

In the United States juveniles are involved in about one-sixth of the total crimes that take place. These crimes include robbery, destruction and damages to property, theft, and even rape and murders. In New Hampshire, for instance, a juvenile is termed as delinquent who is under the age of 17 and “commits an offense that if committed by an adult would be the equivalent of a felony or misdemeanor crime”. (Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).

Similarly, under Texas state law, “"Child" means a person who is a) ten years of age or older and under 17 years of age; or b) 17 years of age or older and under 18 years of age who is alleged or found to have engaged in delinquent conduct or conduct indicating a need for supervision as a result of acts committed before becoming 17 years of age”. (Logan, 2009)

Main Body

The children under age 17 are considered as guilty of delinquent conduct if they miss their school without any logical reason and continue to do so. Similarly, kids who run away from home, show disobedience to parents or guardian to an extent that is likely to cause problem or damage to the child or parents or anyone else in the locality, gets addicted to drugs and similar problematic behavior are placed in the category of delinquent.

There are mainly two types of offences committed by juveniles namely status and public offences.

Status ...