Short Essay (rough minimum for the short essay about two-three pages) - Under what conditions are police most likely to arrest a juvenile? Discuss what you believe to be the four most important answers to that question. What factor(s) are considered the most significant?
- After having gone through a juvenile delinquency course, what are the five most important characteristics of juvenile delinquency? Briefly explain your reasoning on each based only on course materials and your community service.
- What is the most promising direction in dealing with juvenile delinquency in America? What reasoning leads you to that conclusion?
- Explain, analyze, and critique the emphasis of Juvenile Court in theory and in application.
- Explain how the juvenile justice system responds to the challenge of youth street gangs. Be sure to draw upon class resources and Detective Ruchti’s comments in your answer.
- Construct your own short essay question in Juvenile Justice and Delinquency based on relevant course materials. Points will be awarded both on the basis of the answer and the question. Be sure that this question is unique to the other questions on this exam.
Long Essay (rough minimum for each long essay about three pages) - Ignoring all of the political realities of the day, if you had the political power, resources, and will to change the juvenile justice system in Ohio, what would you do? What would be the impact of the changes that you would make?
- Explain the purpose and use of youth Jails (called the Departments of Youth Services in Ohio) and Detention. How does the practice of these facilities compare to the philosophy and nature of youth court? Be sure to draw on all relevant course materials (i.e., guest speakers, text, films, and class discussions).
- Drawing upon all course materials, explain the purpose of diversion and treatment alternatives. Be sure to utilize the information from video, our discussion of shock incarceration, group homes, and any information that you accumulated in your readings.
- What reasons are used to support the dismantling of the juvenile justice system? How compelling are these arguments? What might these arguments overlook?
- Construct your own long question in Juvenile Justice and Delinquency based on relevant course materials. Points will be awarded both on the basis of the answer and the question. Be sure that this question is unique to the other questions on this exam.
- Based on Somebody else’s Children and No Matter How Loud I Shout, what are the dominant characteristics of the juvenile court?
- Compare and contrast the application of due process rights for juvenile and adults. How are they similar? How are they different?
- Explain how the juvenile court operates. Based on the totality of class readings and presentations, what three changes would you make to the juvenile court to prevent delinquency if you could do so? Be sure to draw upon class resources and Assistant Prosecutor Hayden’s comments.
- Drug use and abuse are often a significant aspect of juvenile delinquency. Explain the basis for making the connection between juvenile delinquency and drug use and abuse.
The Required Question (rough minimum about four pages)
Differences between the juvenile and criminal justice systems are significant. Discuss the ONE characteristic which you believe best illustrates the difference (i.e., transfers, procedures, case law, probation, parole, incarceration, etc...) and defend your choice by comparing differences and similarities between the juvenile and criminal courts. Is this characteristic related to American beliefs about childhood? Or is it about justice in our society? Or about how we think of crime? Be sure to draw on all relevant readings, class presentations, and guest speakers.
