Juvenile Justice Specialist

Should teenagers who commit serious crimes be tried as juveniles or adults in our criminal system? What constitutes a “serious” enough crime in order to justify such a decision and what age of the defendant is critical to this determination? These are questions that face our criminal justice system every day, and face our society as we develop prosecution procedures for certain defendants. Juvenile justice professionals have a firm understanding of criminal laws and procedures and make sure that the proper standards are applied to juvenile offenders both for purposes of criminal proceedings, incarceration and protection.

The Juvenile Justice program is designed to prepare learners to address exactly these questions by introducing the concepts, principles and practices of the juvenile justice system to students. Learners will take an in-depth look at juvenile law and the unique role of the courts in these circumstances as well as the corrections systems that will apply to them. Learners will analyze the different socioeconomic considerations that must be weighed in addressing juvenile justice issues, as well as the manner in which social service agencies (treatment, child protective services, etc.) interact, aid or impede the formal juvenile justice system.

This program gives learners an overview of American juvenile justice in terms of both system and practice. It examines the juvenile offender, causes of juvenile crime, the juvenile court system, and juveniles in the adult court system. The program also looks at the institutionalization, rehabilitation, and treatment of juveniles, and the future of juvenile justice in America.