Purpose: This paper highlights the forensic implications of language impairment in 2 key (and overlapping) groups of young people: identified victims of maltreatment (abuse and/or neglect) and young offenders. Method: Two lines of research pertaining to oral language competence and young people's interface with the law are considered: 1 regarding…

Elizabeth Scott and Laurence Steinberg explore the dramatic changes in the law's conception of young offenders between the end of the nineteenth century and the beginning of the twenty-first. At the dawn of the juvenile court era, they note, most youths were tried and punished as if they were adults. Early juvenile court reformers argued strongly…

In a study of adolescent offenders in New York State, most reported that they curtail criminal activities at age 16, because they fear being jailed if apprehended as adults. In fact, the belief that juveniles under 16 cannot be severely punished in New York State is not entirely accurate. (Author/GC)

This information memorandum of the Wisconsin Legislative Council describes 1987 Wisconsin Act 332, relating to crimes and civil offenses against children and providing penalties. An introduction describes how Act 332 will reorganize existing crimes against children into a separate chapter of the Criminal Code and will revise crimes and offenses…

This report of the Congressional Committee on the Judiciary, comments favorably on the bill H.R. 3351, an amendment to the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968. H.R. 3351 is intended to assist the States and local governments in developing alternatives to traditional modes of probation and incarceration for certain young offenders.…

The accelerating growth of restitution as an institutionalized program in juvenile courts throughout the country is documented. According to studies, the number of formal restitution programs has increased from approximately 15 in 1977 to more than 400 in 1989. Program components include financial restitution, community service, victim-offender…

This document, the final report resulting from a two-year study of the use of juvenile records in adult court proceedings and the relationship between age and sanction severity, is of interest to researchers and policymakers concerned with sanction policies for youthful offenders. The introductory chapter provides an overview of the controversy…

This document is a model curriculum for the development of employment components for juvenile restitution programs. It provides a practical discussion of the experiences of five restitution projects around the country, lists their job components, and presents an overview of the common features of successful employment components. A step-by-step…

Two social studies units, one on juvenile delinquency and one on crime and justice, are presented for the ninth grade level. The three-week juvenile delinquency unit focuses on special problems that minors face regarding the law. Students learn the difference between juvenile and adult courts and between status and delinquent offenses. In addition…

This teacher's guide to the nine week, junior high course "Youth and the Law" provides a conceptual framework around the facts of the student book of the same title (SO 006 833) that deals with broad issues of law and responsibility. The guide helps the teacher convey to students the value of law and helps the student channel his energy,…

This student book for the nine week, junior high course "Youth and the Law" addresses juvenile delinquency. The content is organized by chapters dealing with growing up, juvenile crime, causes of delinquency laws, vandalism and shoplifting, and four case studies in delinquency. The students are asked to consider what adolescence is and how it…