Shari is 16 years old. She used to get good grades, but recently she is moody and unfocused in school and often has trouble completing tasks. She has never been in trouble with the law, but she has grown up in a socioeconomically challenged situation with very little family support. No one showed up for her last parent-teacher conference, and her teachers are concerned about her current situation at home. Shari has just been taken into custody for skipping school and underage drinking. What attitude of the juvenile justice system supports this action as a means of looking out for Shari's best interests?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Parens patriae is the legal principle that supports the state's intervention in cases involving minors who are in need of care not provided by their parents or guardians. This principle allows the juvenile justice system to act in the best interests of the child, which in Shari's case involves taking her into custody for her own protection and welfare due to her recent behaviors and lack of family support.

Shari Is 16 Years Old