Juvenile Court Comparison - Essay Example

They also say that drug addicts start taking drugs at 13 or 14, but only come to the rehab centers when the situation becomes grim or out of control. This is because they start taking drugs recreationally and by the time they start having problems and decide to seek help it takes time. Unlike social drinking which doesn't affect one's lifestyle, there is nothing like social drugs because substances like cocaine and heroin are very addictive and illegal. The problem arises because most youngsters believe they won't get addicted not realizing that with drugs like cocaine and heroin it's very easy o get hooked on.

And when they get addicted the trouble starts to unfold and slowly indulging in criminal offences comes into the picture. When they are arrested for their illegal activities they are sent to the juvenile courts which is basically a civil system and "separated into three types: independent and separate courts, part of a family court and unit within a trial court" (Miriam Van Waters, p. 299). Independent courts act separate from other courts and are found in Connecticut Rhode Island and Utah. States like Alabama doesn't have independent and separate courts. . Juvenile courts are very much different from adult courts.

The main purposes of these courts are to make children understand what's good for them, realize the meaning of life and respect the constitutional laws and abide by it. The main purpose is to protect/treat children to bring a positive change in them and throughout the country except in some states like North Carolina, New York, Arizona, etc., has no specified lowest age limit for jurisdiction. Alabama, Alaska, Florida, etc., are some of the states that have no specified lowest age limit for jurisdiction.

Juvenile courts proceeding are less formal and private unlike adult courts where proceedings and hearings should be followed in a formal and public. Further more the proceedings of juvenile courts are kept private and are not released to the press and the proceedings are considered as not criminal. They don't have a right to jury trial and open admission of guilt is more common. In most cases the courts give a chance to improve/treat a child's behavior.Psychiatric Society agrees that 16 is a very young age to get into drugs, but says when you enter college you gain a lot of freedom, are at an impressionable age and get sucked into the wrong crowd.

If parents suspect that the child is in to something they talk to him or her. The teenager will definitely deny it, but parents should firmly talk to the child, maybe not at that time, but later on you may not realize how dangerous the situation is and need to take the child to a doctor or a psychiatrist for a check up or counseling. Get him/her professional help. A psychiatrist and his team are well qualified to help a child if a rehab is not immediately available. It's advisable to take the