Family issues are one of the main facts for juvenile crimes. Youth from broken families cannot distinguish between right and wrong decisions because of lack of care, family education and attention from family.
what is juvenile crimes
what are juvenile crimes table of content
- what are juvenile crime
- statistics of juvenile crime
- types of juvenile crimes
- main Causes of Juvenile Crime
- Juvenile crimes Arrest Rates
- how to find criminal lawyers for juveniles
- how to reduce juvenile delinquency
what are juvenile crimes
Juvenile crimes are generally the same crimes as adult crimes, but they are handled differently than adults. Juvenile crimes are dealt with through the juvenile justice system. The purpose of these justice system is more on rehabilitation and education rather than punishment.
However, serious juvenile crimes may result in other disciplinary measures depending on the severity of the offense and the past record of the juvenile. The age of juvenile crimes may vary in different region.
For example in USA the age of criminal responsibility is set at either 17 or 18 years old, where in Canada its only 12 years old & across the European Union it typically ranges from 14 to 18 years old.
Statistics of Juvenile Crime
If you want to learn about juvenile crimes more deeply, you must know the statistics of juvenile crime. Some questions may rise like , what are the percentage of juveniles commit crimes? are juvenile crimes increasing ? what are causes/factors of juvenile delinquency/crimes?
To answer these questions some information from OJJDP (Office of juvenile justice and delinquency prevention) are given below:
| Offense | Number of arrests | 2009-2018 | 2014-2018 | 2017-2018 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Murder and nonnegligent manslaughter | 950 | -19% | 25% | 7% |
| Robbery | 17,020 | -46% | -13% | -10% |
| Aggravated assault | 27,700 | -45% | -9% | 0% |
| Burglary | 22,130 | -70% | -45% | -28% |
| Larceny-theft | 92,400 | -71% | -48% | -21% |
| Motor vehicle theft | 14,820 | -26% | 17% | -4% |
| Simple assault | 124,540 | -43% | -11% | 2% |
| Vandalism | 30,820 | -66% | -32% | -16% |
| Weapons (carrying, possessing,) | 17,120 | -49% | -18% | -5% |
| Drug abuse violations | 89,850 | -47% | -21% | -4% |
| Liquor laws | 26,360 | -76% | -48% | -22% |
| Disorderly conduct | 57,430 | -66% | -29% | -7% |
| Property Crime Index | 131,200 | -69% | -44% | -21% |
| Violent crimes* | 45,670 | -45% | -10% | -4% |
| Offense | Number of arrests | 2010-2019 | 2015-2019 | 2018-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Murder and nonnegligent manslaughter | 940 | -0.08 | 0.19 | -0.01 |
| Robbery | 15840 | -0.42 | -0.14 | -0.07 |
| Aggravated assault | 26810 | -0.4 | -0.07 | -0.03 |
| Burglary | 20780 | -0.68 | -0.42 | -0.06 |
| Larceny-theft | 81660 | -0.71 | -0.47 | -0.12 |
| Motor vehicle theft | 13440 | -0.15 | -0.08 | -0.09 |
| Simple assault | 124140 | -0.41 | -0.06 | 0 |
| Vandalism | 31490 | -0.59 | -0.24 | 0.02 |
| Weapons (carrying, possessing, etc.) | 15910 | -0.49 | -0.18 | -0.07 |
| Drug abuse violations | 80110 | -0.53 | -0.19 | -0.11 |
| Liquor laws | 26220 | -0.72 | -0.4 | -0.01 |
| Disorderly conduct | 53990 | -0.65 | -0.24 | -0.06 |
| Property Crime Index | 117660 | -0.68 | -0.43 | -0.1 |
| Violent crimes | 43590 | -0.4 | -0.09 | -0.05 |
| Offense | Number of arrests | 2011-2020 | 2016-2020 | 2019-2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Murder and nonnegligent manslaughter | 930 | 11% | 9% | 0% |
| Robbery | 12,000 | -50% | -37% | -24% |
| Aggravated assault | 19,140 | -53% | -32% | -29% |
| Burglary | 15,130 | -76% | -53% | -27% |
| Larceny-theft | 46,700 | -82% | -65% | -43% |
| Motor vehicle theft | 11,660 | -17% | -26% | -13% |
| Simple assault | 70,940 | -63% | -45% | -43% |
| Vandalism | 23,130 | -66% | -41% | -27% |
| Weapons (carrying, possessing, etc.) | 11,110 | -61% | -42% | -30% |
| Drug abuse violations | 42,280 | -72% | -57% | -47% |
| Liquor laws | 17,910 | -80% | -51% | -32% |
| Disorderly conduct | 24,720 | -82% | -62% | -54% |
| Vagrancy | 250 | -86% | -69% | -37% |
| Property Crime Index | 74,680 | -78% | -59% | -37% |
| Violent crimes | 32,070 | -51% | -33% | -26% |
Types of juvenile crimes
Juveniles crimes surrounds a wide range of offences committed by Minos or individuals under the age of 18. Most common juvenile crimes are
Another cause of property crime is drug addiction. Young drug addicts often involves in theft just to fund their drug habit.
3.2 Youth Drug and Alcohol Crimes :
Juveniles involving with illegal drug related activities such as possession of drugs, distribution, manufacturing, or trafficking are considers as youth drug and alcohol crimes.
Teenagers often tend to influenced by a range of factor including peer pressure, exposure to drugs in the community, family dysfunction and socioeconomic factors. Drug offences usually lead teenagers to property crimes.
3.3 youthful violent crimes :
Criminal acts committed by a minor or an individuals who is under the age of 18 considers as youthful violent crimes including homicide , rape, assault with the intent to do serious harm, and armed robbery. Violent crimes are seriously dealt by the criminal justice system due to their impact on individuals and society.
The offender may face serious consequences like penalties, imprisonment, fines, and probation. Family Dysfunction, Community Environment, Lack of Positive Opportunities are the key facts for juvenile crimes.
3.4 Adolescent Sex Crimes :
Adolescent sex crime refers to commuting crimes such as sexual harassment, inappropriate sexual behavior, or assault by minors or individuals under the age of 18. Serious offenses like rape or child molestation also can be committed by juveniles. Juvenile sex crimes are handled differently than adult sex crimes. Their primary focus is on rehabilitation and education rather than punishment.
Although, in some sex crimes cases juveniles may face legal consequences such as probation, counseling, or placement in a juvenile detention facility depending on the seriousness of the committed crime. Additionally juveniles may required to register on a sex offender registries.
3.5 Youngling Traffic Offenses :
Juveniles often tend to violate the traffic laws, including speeding, reckless driving, driving without a license, Violating traffic signs, and drunk driving. These juvenile offenders faces different legal procedures and consequences compared to adults.
In some jurisdiction juvenile traffic offender may face legal consequences like paying fines, mandatory attendance at driver education programs, or temporary suspension of their Diver’s license.
3.6 Vernal assault :
Vernal assaults’ also known as juvenile assault refers to activities that causes physical harm or injury to another person by a minor or an individuals who are under the age of 18. Vernal assaults’ or juvenile assault can range from simple physical altercations to more serious acts of violence such as punching, kicking, or using weapons to inflict harm.
Juvenile assault is a serious legal matter that have significant consequences for both the culprit and the victim. These offenders may face legal cons eques like counseling or intervention programs, community service, probation, or in more serious cases, placement in a juvenile detention facility.
3.7 Status Offenses :
Status offences are behaviors that are considered offences only because of the age of individuals under the age of 18 or minors. But if any adults commits it
It doesn’t consider as a crime. For example violating Curfew , Underage drinking, Running away from home, Tobacco use, and Truancy.
3.8 Illegal Purchases :
Illegal Purchases refers to juveniles involvement in the buying or acquiring of goods that are prohibited by law due to their age. For example buying alcohol, tobacco products, drugs, or gambling etc.
Main Causes of Juvenile Crime
Juvenile crime can take places for a variety of complex factors, and it’s often impacted by a combination of individual, family, community, and societal factors. Causes of juvenile delinquency are
4.1 Family Problems :
Family problems plays a significant role in juvenile crimes. Children’s from broken homes often miss the care from their family and attention they need. When the family fails to teach them the difference between good and bad, they get involved in various criminal activities without knowing the consequences.
4.2 Peer Pressure :
Peer pressure plays a significant role in juvenile crimes. Negative peer pressure, association with delinquent peers, or involvement in gangs lead them to participation in criminal activities.
4.3 Substance Abuse :
Substance abuse refers to using illegal drugs or alcohol can impair judgment and decision-making ability of a juvenile, leading juveniles to engage in criminal activities. Sometimes juveniles engage in criminal activities to support their drugs addiction.
4.4 Mental Health Issues :
Juveniles mental health disorders such as depression, anxiety, conduct disorder may susceptible to engaging in criminal behavior.
4.5 Lack of Education :
Lack of education is one of the causes for juvenile crimes. young individuals may not fully understand the seriousness of their actions. Their lack of awareness can lead to a potentially criminal activities.
4.6 Media and Culture :
Exposure to violence in media plays a role in young individuals behaviors. For example some violent video games, movies, and music glorify criminal behavior, and it influences juvenile behaviors leading them involving with criminal activates.
Juvenile crimes Arrest Rates
Overall Decline in Youth Arrests for Violent Crimes:
Since the mid-2000s, Juvenile crimes arrests for violent crimes decreased significantly including murder, robbery, and aggravated assault. By 2020, this number lowered even more, representing a 78% decrease from the peak in 1994 and half the number compared to a decade earlier.
Gender Disparity in Youth Arrests:
80% of violent crime arrestees of juveniles in 2020 are males. For specific offenses such as murder (92%) and robbery (88%) was even higher, indicating a significant gender disparity in certain types of violent crime.
Age Distribution of Youth Arrests:
55% of youth aged 16-17 are arrests for violent crime. Moreover, youth around this age accounted for a disproportionately 76% of all youth arrests for murder demonstrating that more teenagers are overrepresented in arrests for the most serious violent offenses.
Though, juvenile arrests for violent crimes over the decades have significantly dropped. Understanding these trends is critical to developing administrative interventions and prevention strategies to further reduce youth involvement in violent crime.
how to find criminal lawyers for juveniles
Recommendations from the people you know:
you can always ask recommendation from friends, family, colleagues or someone who might have similar issue before. They might help you to find available lawyers near your area. And if you know any lawyer personally then it will be more easier to find the most suitable lawyer for your case.
Researching online platforms:
You can also use social media platforms to find the suitable lawyers for your case. Its much more easier to find lawyers in your area. Also the review from the previous clients may help you to get some ideas about the potential lawyers.
Bar association find a lawyer:
A bar association is an expert association for lawyers that offers assistance and assets to its members and directs the legitimate calling. In other word it’s a professional organization that is comprised of lawyers and they play important roles in the legal community. Bar associations require members that meets certain professional standards.
So if there are any bar association near your area, you can look into there. There will no doubt about the lawyer’s professionalism that you will find in a bar association.
Lawyers Experience:
Lawyers usually work on different types of cases depending on their expertise. Look for lawyers who have a specific area of expertise who deals with the type of cases you have. Specialized knowledge can be vital in navigating the complexities. Just look into the previous case results, clients reviews and how they dealt the case.
Face to face consultation
Schedule a consultation with a lawyer. face to face consultation allows direct and personal interaction, better communication, understanding between the client and the lawyers. Also face to face consultation will provide immediate clarification of queries, the exchange of crucial documents and the establishment of a trusting relationship.
how to reduce juvenile delinquency
Reducing juvenile delinquency requires a multi-pronged approach that addresses the causes of delinquent behavior. Some strategies that may help to reduce juvenile delinquency are:
7.1 Early Intervention :
Early intervention programs should be implemented before at-riskyouth engage in criminal behavior. These programs may include mentoring, tutoring, and after-school activities aimed at promoting positive youth development and preventing involvement in criminal activity.
7.2 Parental Involvement :
Parental involvement is necessary to prevent juvenile crimes. parents should practice positive parenting techniques like setting clear expectations, providing love and the attention they need. Parents should monitor what their child is doing and who their child’s friends are and where they spend their time.
7.3 Education and Job Training :
Supervise your child’s education and job training by attending parent-teacher conferences, help your child with homework, and advocate for their academic success. Motivate them to set up their goal and help with the career they wants to choose in future.
7.4 Mental Health Services :
Always Be attentive to your child’s emotional well-being and address any signs of mental health issues promptly. Look for professional help if needed and provide a supportive environment for your child.
7.5 Community Programs :
To create supportive environments and positive youth development community programs are necessary. These types of programs reduces the risk of criminal behavior. In these types of programs where adults provide guidance, support, and positive role modeling and helps building positive relationships. Other programs like, After-School Programs, Sports and Recreation Programs, Cultural Programs, Community Service and volunteer programs etc also plays a great role in rising awareness and preventing juvenile crimes.
Overall, By implementing these strategies in a sustained manner, society can work toward reducing juvenile crimes, promoting positive youth development, and create safe and more inclusive environments for all young people.