Rethinking Juvenile Justice

by Elizabeth S. Scott, Laurence Steinberg

What should we do with teenagers who commit crimes? Are they children whose offenses are the result of immaturity and circumstances, or are they in fact criminals? “Adult time for adult crime” has been the justice system’s mantra for the last twenty years. But locking up so many young people puts a strain on state budgets—and ironically, the evidence suggests it ultimately increases crime. In this bold book, two leading scholars in law and adolescent development offer a comprehensive and pragmatic way forward. They argue that juvenile justice should be grounded in the best available psychological science, which shows that adolescence is a distinctive state of cognitive and emotional development. Although adolescents are not children, they are also not fully responsible adults. Elizabeth Scott and Laurence Steinberg outline a new developmental model of juvenile justice that recognizes adolescents’ immaturity but also holds them accountable. Developmentally based laws and policies would make it possible for young people who have committed crimes to grow into responsible adults, rather than career criminals, and would lighten the present burden on the legal and prison systems. In the end, this model would better serve the interests of justice, and it would also be less wasteful of money and lives than the harsh and ineffective policies of the last generation.

384 pages, Hardcover

First published August 31, 2008

About the author

Elizabeth S. Scott, Vice Dean and Harold R. Medina Professor of Law, Columbia University School of Law

Reviews

[Michael Maguire · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I think the book was good overall, it just felt lackluster when I reflected on it. They argued their point and perspective clearly. They also provided a lot of empirical information to back their points, including their own studies. These are always central factors that determine the standing of an academic book when I read them. I just didn't like how they added new information at the end (and briefly closed out the book...just left a bad taste in my mouth), nor did I really appreciate their recommendations for revamping the juvenile justice system.

[☠︎︎༒︎✞︎ ѕℓιм ☠︎︎༒︎✞︎ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another book I had to read for my Legal and Ethical Issues in Juvenile Justice class. This was one of the first books I had to read during my time in my Criminal Justice class. I liked a couple chapters in this book and learn a lot throughout reading this book. Especially when it comes to stuff I didn't know about.

[Lindsay · Rating 1 out of 5]

I read this book when I was in the beginning stages of research for my thesis(Early Intervention and Prevention of Juvenile Violence). I was so frustrated that I had many conversations with several professors in an attempt to understand even the basis of what the authors were trying to convey. Their research was flawed and outdated, as was their subsequent theories on how to best serve juveniles in the system. I will say it motivated me to scour through months of research so I that I could really understand my stance on the topic.

[Bruce Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Superb overview and discussion of the topic. Sometimes falls into the trap of using language of a model it is trying to refute. E.g. Describing approaches that treat children as children as being 'more lenient'. It's not that it's lenient, it's just acknowledging that children judge and understand risk and consequences (for both themselves and others) differently to adults.