Juvenile Justice System

In the beginning of the 20th century, many visionaries strived to recreate American government. They fought for it to become more just, fair, and ethical for all citizens. Visionaries realized that adult courts, laws and policies were too harsh and cruel for juveniles. Because of this, they believed that juveniles should have their own courts, laws, and policies. The juvenile justice system was created in order to lead youth away from the adult justice system. Juvenile courts were established throughout the United States in the early 1900’s based on the recognition that children are different than adults; while children may violate the law, they remain uniquely suited to rehabilitation. It has long been recognized as counterproductive to

Many youth are sometimes young and impressionable, and may pick up on some of the habits of the adult criminals. Since then, age has influenced juvenile justice policy.

Age has influenced juvenile justice policy when it comes to juveniles facing the death penalty. In the court case of Roper v. Simmons, Simmons, who was seventeen at the time he committed murder, believed that it would violate his 8th amendment rights if he were to be sentenced to death. The 8th amendment as part of the United States Constitution prohibits the use of cruel and unusual punishments and sentences. The United States Supreme Court in Roper v. Simmons ruled in favor of Simmons. The United States Supreme Court explained that sentencing a minor to death was indeed cruel and unusual punishment In March 2005, the United States Supreme Court ruled that the death penalty for those who had committed their crimes at under 18 years of age was cruel and unusual punishment and hence barred by the Constitution. Since then, there have been new scientific discoveries that show juveniles should not be charged and prosecuted the same way as adults are. Research and Studies done by the Harvard Medical School, the National Institute of Mental Health and the UCLA's Department of