Question 1

Which of the following was a legal catalyst for the creation of the Juvenile Court Act?

Accepted Answer

The concept of parens patriae, which means "parent of the country," was a legal principle that allowed the state to step in and act as a guardian for children who were neglected, delinquent, or otherwise in need of care, leading to the establishment of the juvenile court system.

Question 2

What does the parens patriae philosophy of juvenile court charge that the court must do in regard to juvenile offenders?

Accepted Answer

The parens patriae philosophy of juvenile court emphasizes that the court must act in a protective role, providing treatment and rehabilitation for juvenile offenders rather than focusing on punishment. This approach is based on the idea that the state acts as a guardian for those who are unable to care for themselves, including children who commit offenses.

Question 3

Which of the following is NOT one of the instructions given to parolees upon leaving the institution as ordered by the first superintendent of the Elmira Reformatory?

Accepted Answer

The Elmira Reformatory, under its first superintendent, Zebulon Brockway, did not require parolees to provide the local police with a home address. Brockway's system focused on reform and rehabilitation, including maintaining communication with the reformatory and a designated guardian, but did not involve direct interaction with local law enforcement as a condition of parole.

Question 4

Who is considered the "father of probation"?

Accepted Answer

John Augustus is recognized as the "father of probation" for his pioneering efforts in the 19th century to advocate for the release of prisoners on the condition that they demonstrate good behavior, laying the groundwork for the modern probation system.

Question 5

Which of the following is linked to the origins of residential programs?

Accepted Answer

The Highfields Project is linked to the origins of residential programs as it was an early experiment in residential treatment for delinquent boys.

Question 6

Which of the following is NOT one of the common agreements among experts who believe that primary prevention is better than later means of delinquency control?

Accepted Answer

Experts generally agree that continuity of efforts is crucial in preventing delinquency, as opposed to believing that one-shot efforts produce lasting effects. This makes option B incorrect because it contradicts the consensus that sustained, ongoing interventions are necessary for effective delinquency prevention.

Question 7

The main characteristic of diversion initiated by the courts or police is that ________, and youths who fail to respond to such a program usually will be returned to the juvenile court for continued processing within the system.

Accepted Answer

Diversion programs aim to redirect juvenile offenders away from the formal justice system while still maintaining oversight and control over them, offering an alternative to traditional processing.

Question 8

Dispositional alternatives for youthful offenders that exist outside of the formal juvenile justice system are called ________.

Accepted Answer

Diversion programs are alternatives for youthful offenders that exist outside of the formal juvenile justice system, aiming to redirect their behaviors without the stigma of a criminal record.

Question 9

Which of the following refers to the juvenile justice programs in which youths are sentenced by their peers?

Accepted Answer

Teen courts are juvenile justice programs where youths are sentenced by their peers, aiming to provide an alternative to the traditional juvenile justice system and to educate young people about the legal process.

Question 10

Which case processing model allows youth attorneys to present the case to a panel of three youth judges, who decide the appropriate disposition for the dependent?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which case processing model allows youth attorneys...

Question 11

Which of the following authorizes the U.S. attorney general to make grants to various agencies to establish drug courts?

Accepted Answer

The Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act authorizes the U.S. attorney general to make grants to states, state courts, local courts, units of local government, and Indian tribal governments to develop, implement, and enhance drug courts.

Question 12

Which of the following is the most widely used judicial disposition?

Accepted Answer

Probation is the most widely used judicial disposition because it allows individuals convicted of crimes to remain in their communities under supervision instead of serving time in prison or jail, thus being more prevalent than confinement, parole, or aftercare.

Question 13

Which of the following takes place when a juvenile has been found delinquent in the adjudicatory stage?

Accepted Answer

During the disposition hearing, the court determines the most appropriate form of treatment or penalty for the juvenile who has been found delinquent in the adjudicatory stage. This is akin to the sentencing phase in adult court.

Question 14

Which is a correctional model whose goal is to change an offender's character, attitudes, or behavior so as to diminish his or her delinquent propensities?

Accepted Answer

The rehabilitation model focuses on changing an offender's behavior, attitudes, or character with the aim of reducing future criminal behavior, distinguishing it from other models that may prioritize punishment, deterrence, or restitution.

Question 15

Where are juveniles commonly sent to determine proper institutional placement, especially in states that have several juvenile facilities?

Accepted Answer

Juveniles are commonly sent to diagnostic centers to determine proper institutional placement, especially in states with several juvenile facilities. These centers assess the needs and issues of the juveniles to ensure they are placed in a facility that can best address their specific requirements and aid in their rehabilitation.

Question 16

Which of the following refers to the stage of juvenile court proceedings that usually includes the youth's plea, the presentation of evidence, the cross-examination of witnesses, and a finding by the judge as to whether the allegations can be sustained?

Accepted Answer

The adjudicatory hearing is the stage in juvenile court proceedings where the judge determines whether the allegations against the youth can be sustained, similar to a trial in adult court. This stage includes the youth's plea, evidence presentation, and witness cross-examination.

Question 17

Which of the following is NOT among the changes advocated by the proponents of the justice model?

Accepted Answer

The justice model advocates for limiting discretion in the juvenile justice system, making training schools safer, and ensuring control over offenders, but it does not support diverting youthful offenders into the justice system instead of voluntary services. The model generally aims for more humane and fair treatment, which includes keeping youth out of the justice system when possible.

Question 18

Which model of juvenile justice seeks to reconcile the interests of victims, offenders, and the community through programs and supervision practices?

Accepted Answer

The balanced and restorative model of juvenile justice focuses on balancing the needs of the victim, the community, and the offender. It aims to repair harm, address the causes of delinquency, and involve all stakeholders in the process of justice, including community-based programs and supervision practices.

Question 19

What is the pivotal philosophical underpinning of the justice model that holds that juvenile offenders deserve to be punished in proportion to the seriousness of the offense?

Accepted Answer

The "just deserts" model is based on the principle that individuals deserve punishment in proportion to the severity of their crime, emphasizing retribution and fairness in sentencing.

Question 20

Which of the following persons is most likely to make the decision whether a juvenile should remain in the community or be placed in a shelter or detention facility?

Accepted Answer

The intake officer is typically responsible for making the initial decision regarding whether a juvenile should remain in the community or be placed in a shelter or detention facility, based on the juvenile's behavior, legal status, and other relevant factors.

Quiz 11: An Overview of Juvenile Justice in America