The Transfer of Juveniles to Criminal Court - Essay Example

Seven matching criteria were used: Offence; the number of counts or referral charges; the number of dates for previous juvenile referrals; most serious prior referral offense; age; gender; and race; and were matched alongside other young offenders who remained within the juvenile system. The results showed that juveniles transferred to the adult system in Florida, New York, and New Jersey were significantly more likely to be rearrested (by almost 30 percent) than those retained in juvenile court (Bishop, 1996).

The results also highlighted the dangers of incarcerating a young offender within the adult system, showing that many juveniles come out of prison more 'experienced' than when they enter it. The work of Donna M. Bishop demonstrates that the juvenile court is becoming progressively more comparable to the adult system. Pointing towards the importance of understanding youth offenders and what it means for them to have to face an adult procedure, (especially for those under the age of 15 [Grisso, et al. 2003] ), it highlights the weaknesses of a system that no longer regards age as a primary factor when considering crime and appropriate punishment.

Possibly due to its being based on society's need for retribution in the face of increased crime amongst its youth, the juvenile system seems more interested in appeasing public opinion, or political perspective, rather than taking into account relevant considerations such as social and mental well-being when faced with juvenile offenders.