Juvenile Justice System, The: Delinquency, Processing, and the Law, 9th edition
- Alida V. Merlo |
- Peter Benekos |
Title overview
For courses in juvenile justice.
An in-depth introduction to juvenile justice
The Juvenile Justice System: Delinquency, Processing, and the Law examines how young offenders are viewed, classified and guided. The authors take a critical eye to the stages of juvenile processing and current and historical responses to juvenile justice. They also examine how research has influenced policy. Examples of comparative juvenile justice raise the importance of focusing on reform and treatment.
The 9th Edition highlights evidence-based programs that have proven effective in preventing delinquency and treating young offenders. It looks at the Sanctuary Model® and trauma-informed care as two new approaches to working with youth.
Hallmark features of this title
- EXPANDED: Comparative/International Juvenile Justice sections in each chapter compare US and global developments in juvenile justice. This edition includes new examples of programs and policies.
- UPDATED: Career Snapshots boxes feature professionals who work with juvenile offenders. They share why they chose their career, what they find rewarding, and what's needed for success.
New and updated features of this title
Clear, easy-to-understand material well-suited to an introductory course
- NEW: A look at new legislative changes shows how research has impacted policy, such as raise the age initiatives and Supreme Court decisions on life without parole sentences for youth.
- NEW: Analysis of the Sanctuary Model and trauma-informed care sheds light on these new approaches to working with youth.
Real-world examples connecting material to future careers
- NEW: Evidence-Based Practice in Action boxes in each chapter describe relevant research studies and their implications for juvenile justice practice.
- NEW: Comparative Practice and Policy Around the World boxes describe juvenile justice practices in various countries and relate them to US practices.
- NEW: Critical Thinking Application exercises at the end of each chapter focus on policy and practice. They are useful for exam prep.
Table of contents
1. An Overview of Juvenile Justice in the United States
2. The History of Juvenile Justice and Origins of the Juvenile Court
3. Theories of Delinquency and Intervention Programs
4. The Legal Rights of Juveniles
5. Juveniles and the Police
6. Intake and Preadjudicatory Processing
7. Prosecutorial Decision Making in Juvenile Justice
8. Classification and Preliminary Treatment: Waivers and Other Alternatives
9. The Adjudicatory Process: Dispositional Alternatives
10. Nominal Sanctions: Warnings, Diversion, and Alternative Dispute Resolution
11. Juvenile Probation and Community-Based Corrections
12. Juvenile Corrections: Custodial Sanctions and Aftercare
Author bios
About our authors
Alida V. Merlo is Professor of Criminology and Criminal Justice at Indiana University of Pennsylvania in Indiana, Pennsylvania. Previously, Dr. Merlo taught at Westfield State University in Westfield, Massachusetts. She earned her PhD from Fordham University, MS from Northeastern University, and BA from Youngstown State University.
Dr. Merlo has conducted research and published in the areas of juvenile justice, criminal justice policy, and women and the law. She is the coauthor with Peter J. Benekos of Reaffirming Juvenile Justice: From Gault to Montgomery (Routledge/Taylor & Francis Group) and Crime Control, Politics & Policy, 2nd Edition (LexisNexis/Anderson) and coeditor (with Peter J. Benekos) of Controversies in Juvenile Justice and Delinquency, 2nd Edition (LexisNexis/Anderson). She also coedited (with Joycelyn M. Pollock) Women, Law & Social Control, 2nd Edition (Allyn & Bacon). She is the past President of the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences.
Peter J. Benekos is Professor Emeritus of Criminology and Criminal Justice and Sociology at Mercyhurst University in Erie, Pennsylvania. Dr. Benekos was a visiting professor at Roger Williams University in Rhode Island. He earned his PhD from the University of Akron, his MA from the University of Cincinnati, and his BS from Clarion University.
Dr. Benekos has conducted research and published in the areas of juvenile justice, corrections and public policy. He is the coauthor (with Alida V. Merlo) of Reaffirming Juvenile Justice: From Gault to Montgomery (Routledge/Taylor & Francis Group) and Crime Control, Politics & Policy, 2nd Edition (LexisNexis/Anderson). He is also coeditor (with Alida V. Merlo) of Controversies in Juvenile Justice and Delinquency, 2nd Edition (LexisNexis/Anderson).