AJ 108: Juvenile Procedures

Citrus College Course Outline of Record

Citrus College Course Outline of Record
Heading Value
Effective Term: Fall 2021
Credits: 3
Total Contact Hours: 108
Lecture Hours : 54
Lab Hours: 0
Hours Arranged: 0
Outside of Class Hours: 54
Strongly Recommended: ENGL 101.
Transferable to CSU: Yes
Transferable to UC: No
Grading Method: Standard Letter

Catalog Course Description

This course is an examination of the origin, development, and organization of the Juvenile Justice System as it evolved in the American Justice System. The course explores the theories that focus on Juvenile Law, courts and processes, and the constitutional protections extended to juveniles administered in the American Justice System. 54 lecture hours.

Course Objectives

  • Critically analyze and describe the juvenile justice system and its context in the criminal justice system.
  • Apply California laws pertaining to juvenile delinquency and dependency to case studies.
  • Critically distinguish between delinquency, status offenses, and dependency.
  • Critically analyze the distinctions between the adult and juvenile justice systems.
  • Critically evaluate Constitutional protections extended to juveniles through judicial decisions.
  • Critically appraise the Juvenile Court dispositions.

Major Course Content

  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

Suggested Reading Other Than Required Textbook

News articles related to the juvenile justice system
Journal articles related to crime causation theories, juvenile dependency cases and/or abuse or neglect of minors
Case studies of juvenile offenders

Examples of Required Writing Assignments

Students will conduct research and prepare a three to five page report regarding a topic related to crime causation and delinquency, constitutional protection for juvenile offenders, the juvenile justice system, or case studies of juvenile offenders

Examples of Outside Assignments

Read assigned text material Study for quizzes and exams Complete extra credit assignments Prepare material for class discussion or presentation Conduct research and prepare required written reports

Instruction Type(s)

Lecture, Online Education Lecture