http://worldcat.org/entity/work/id/1382441

Law enforcement and the youthful offender

Introductory text on the causes and forms of delinquency, approaches to prevention, and the functions and procedures of the police and juvenile courts. This introductory textbook is designed for both the general student and the student who desires to become a police officer specializing in work with juveniles. It provides a comprehensive view of the major issues, facts, and concepts regarding juvenile delinquency and its prevention and control. The text first discusses the nature and causes of delinquency, including problems of definition, national and international trends, social factors, and important theories and misunderstandings. Delinquency is described as including a wide variety of behavior as well as a wide diversity of contributing factors involving family relationships, school adjustment, environmental background, and individual personality. The author asserts that prevention, rather than law enforcement, is the most important and promising approach to dealing with delinquency. The discussion of preventive approaches examines the negative results of earlier programs, the impact of family and school, and the functions of juvenile court, probation, and parole. The text features the treatment of the juvenile court system, including the history of the courts in the United States, legal aspects of juvenile court processes, and an examination of the Standard Juvenile Court Act of the National Council On Crime And Delinquency. The concluding chapters cover direct police services for juveniles, including special procedures for work with juveniles, special juvenile officers, neglected and abused children, police relationships with other agencies, and the rights and liabilities of minors. The discussion emphasizes the importance of the police role as the child's first contact with the juvenile justice system and one which undoubtedly leaves a lasting impression.

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