Operative mechanics of Juveniles Courts Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Operative mechanics of Juveniles Courts - Essay Example Juvenile courts developed out of the need to reduce recidivism rates among child offenders. In effect, it was a kind of diversion mechanism meant to steer youth offenders away from criminality towards good citizenry devoid of criminal intents (Fox, 1970). Prior to their creation, children and adults alike were subjected to the same kind of court procedures. As such, the guilty were liable for capital punishment or life incarceration irrespective of age brackets. Notably, punishment delivered was the same both for adults and children. But, child-offender processes fell short of protective elements such the right to bail, which were only granted to adults (Conward, 1998). Thus, the process that institutionalized juvenile justice structures were mainly geared towards harmonizing justice with full recognition that children bear lesser moral as well as cognitive capacities for offenses they commit. The current Juvenile court structures are mainly rehabilitative rather punitive towards its client offenders-the children.They are specially designed with clear, basic demarcations falling under criminality, parental neglect or being out of parental control. Contrary to the hearsay admissible in adult cases, juvenile court structures have no such restrictions. Their hearings have mostly closed a door and informal. Parents and officers dealing directly with child welfare, such as probation officers, have access to the court process to ensure fair and favorable results and to guard against future recidivism.