CJ 250 - The Juvenile Offender

1. Assess and analyze the elements that make up the juvenile justice system.
   1. Define juvenile delinquency.
   2. Describe how crime is measured in our society.
   3. List and analyze the factors (variables) used to conduct research in the area of delinquency.
   4. Demonstrate an understanding of the historical origins of the juvenile court.
   5. Explain the legal and philosophical foundations of the court.
   6. Demonstrate an understanding of the role of the juvenile court, both past and present.
   7. Contrast and compare historical and contemporary juvenile court philosophies.
   8. Differentiate between status offenses, delinquent acts, and criminal acts.
2. Analyze and demonstrate an understanding of the conceptual frameworks of criminological theories used to explain crime.
   1. Define what theory is and how theories are constructed.
   2. Differentiate between the following types of criminological theories:
      1. Individual
      2. Psychological
      3. Social structure
      4. Social process
      5. Social reaction
      6. Gang theories
   3. Demonstrate an understanding of the impact that social institutions have on delinquent behavior (e.g.; family, school, & legal systems).
   4. Apply appropriate theoretical constructs in order to explain delinquency.
3. Analyze and demonstrate an understanding of the significance of landmark court cases.
   1. Describe and assess the significance of each of the following court cases:
      1. In re Gault
      2. McKeiver v. Pennsylvania
      3. In re Winship
      4. Breed v. Jones
      5. Ex Parte Crouse
      6. O'Connell v. Turner
      7. Kent v. United States
      8. New Jersey v. TLO
      9. Thompson v. Oklahoma
      10. Stanford v. Kentucky
      11. Veronica School District v. Acton
      12. United States v. Lopez
4. Demonstrate an understanding of the function and processes of the juvenile court
   1. Explain the meaning and purpose of a petition.
   2. List the reasoning behind the diversion process.
   3. Describe what happens during a preliminary hearing.
   4. Explain the purpose of a detention hearing.
   5. Describe what happens during an adjudicatory hearing.
   6. Describe what takes place during disposition.
   7. Synthesize all of the above and explain how a juvenile case is processed through the juvenile court system.
5. Assess and demonstrate an understanding of the purposes of various types of juvenile institutions.
   1. Differentiate between short-term and long-term care.
   2. Explain the purposes of detention facilities.
   3. Explain the purposes of training schools.
   4. Differentiate between secure and non-secure facilities.
   5. Explain the purposes of residential treatment facilities.
   6. Describe the different types of treatment methods used in juvenile facilities.
   7. Compare and contrast public and private juvenile institutions.