Question 1

Most property offense cases have increased since 1985 while drug violations and public order offense cases have decreased.

Accepted Answer

Since 1985, property offense cases have generally decreased, while drug violations and public order offenses have increased.

Question 2

Disposition is based solely on the present charge, not on previous arrests, charges, adjudication or any extra-legal information.

Accepted Answer

Disposition refers to the final settlement or conclusion of a legal case, which can be influenced by a variety of factors including the present charge, defendant's criminal history, and other legal considerations, not solely on the present charge.

Question 3

Delinquency cases decreased _________ from 1996 to 2005.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Delinquency cases decreased _________ from 1996 to...

Question 4

Attorneys assigned to juvenile court from the prosecutor's office are generally the oldest attorneys with the most experience.

Accepted Answer

Attorneys assigned to juvenile court from the prosecutor's office are typically newer attorneys who are gaining experience in the beginning of their career.

Question 5

Adjudication is based on the present charge, previous arrests, charges, adjudication and any extra-legal information.

Accepted Answer

Adjudication is based on the present charge and evidence related to it; previous arrests, charges, and extra-legal information are not supposed to influence the adjudication process, which should be focused on the facts and legality of the current case.

Question 6

_________means "in place of the parent."

Accepted Answer

"In Loco Parentis" means in place of the parent.

Question 7

Juvenile court judges were not originally required to have a law degree.

Accepted Answer

Juvenile court judges were initially not required to have a law degree, but this varies by state and has changed in some states over time.

Question 8

The presence of counsel has been found to be associated with more severe dispositions.

Accepted Answer

The presence of counsel has been found to be associated with more severe dispositions because counsel can provide legal advice and representation, which can help defendants to negotiate plea agreements or receive more lenient sentences.

Question 9

Juveniles in every state are allowed to waive their right to counsel.

Accepted Answer

While juveniles do have the right to waive counsel, the allowance and specific conditions under which they can do so vary by state. Some states require a parent or guardian's consent, a judge's approval, or assess the juvenile's competence to make such a decision, making it not universally allowed without conditions.

Question 10

The number of delinquency cases in juvenile courts in the United States has increased approximately _________in the past 20 years.

Accepted Answer

The number of delinquency cases in juvenile courts in the United States has increased approximately 40% in the past 20 years, reflecting trends in juvenile crime and court processing.

Question 11

The juvenile court process is informal and ________as compared to criminal court proceedings.

Accepted Answer

The juvenile court process is often referred to as quasi-civil, due to its emphasis on rehabilitation and treatment rather than punishment. It is also more informal than criminal court proceedings, with fewer legal technicalities and a focus on the best interests of the child. The other options (incomplete, punishment oriented, restorative oriented) do not accurately capture the nature of the juvenile court process.

Question 12

The original juvenile courts were informal and non-adversarial proceedings and therefore typically did not have prosecuting attorneys to present the evidence against the juvenile offender in court.

Accepted Answer

The original juvenile courts were designed to be informal and non-adversarial, and typically did not have prosecuting attorneys present to present the evidence against the juvenile offender. The system was meant to be more rehabilitative than punitive, with a focus on counseling and guidance for the juvenile rather than punishment.

Question 13

Major changes in the juvenile court began in the ________.

Accepted Answer

Major changes in the juvenile court system began in the 1960s, influenced by the Supreme Court's decisions to extend more rights to juveniles, recognizing their need for due process protections similar to adults.

Question 14

Feld argues that a more formal criminal court hearing would "not" assure that juvenile offenders receive the same due process safeguards and constitutional rights as adults in criminal court.

Accepted Answer

Feld argues that a more formal criminal court hearing for juvenile offenders would indeed assure that they receive the same due process safeguards and constitutional rights as adults, emphasizing the importance of applying these fundamental legal protections uniformly across age groups.

Question 15

In an EJJ proceeding, the youth is given both a juvenile court disposition and an adult sentence; but the adult sentence is stayed or suspended, while the juvenile court disposition is implemented.

Accepted Answer

In an EJJ proceeding, the youth receives both a juvenile court disposition and an adult sentence, but the adult sentence is stayed or suspended, while the juvenile court disposition is implemented.

Question 16

The dispositional alternatives available to juvenile courts are the same in every jurisdiction.

Accepted Answer

Dispositional alternatives can vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction, as laws and local policies can affect what options are available to juvenile courts for addressing youth offenders.

Question 17

The juvenile court was originally developed as an informal "quasi-judicial" process that incorporated more civil procedures than criminal court procedures.

Accepted Answer

The juvenile court was created as a more informal and rehabilitative process for delinquent youth, with a focus on social services and education rather than punishment. Its procedures were initially more civil in nature, with an emphasis on counseling and guidance rather than strict enforcement of the law.

Question 18

Juvenile probation officers acquire a greater level of knowledge and insight on the juvenile's background and problems related to the delinquent behavior than either the judge or the attorneys involved in the case.

Accepted Answer

Juvenile probation officers are responsible for conducting investigations into the juvenile's personal life, family history, and relationships, as well as assessing their risk level and needs. This in-depth knowledge allows them to make recommendations to the court about the most effective and appropriate rehabilitation services, as well as to monitor the youth's progress and compliance with the terms of their probation. Judges and attorneys, on the other hand, may have limited or second-hand information about the juvenile's circumstances and may rely on the probation officer's reports to make informed decisions.

Question 19

The federal government, through the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, has made the elimination of disproportionate minority confinement a high priority.

Accepted Answer

The Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention has made the elimination of disproportionate minority confinement a high priority, as stated on their website.

Question 20

Even though there may have been sufficient evidence to adjudicate a juvenile, a judge can dismiss the case if there is insufficient evidence that the child needs formal supervision by the court.

Accepted Answer

Even if there is sufficient evidence to adjudicate a juvenile, a judge may dismiss the case if they determine there isn't enough evidence that the child requires formal supervision from the court.

Quiz 10: The Juvenile Court Process