Criminal justice - Assignment Example

This system was based on the principle of parens patriae and was later adopted throughout United States. Categories of children include delinquent, children who are not disciplined, dependent as well as neglected children, children who have committed sexual offences and children who have been abused. 2. As a result of the Gault case children were provided by the court with four rights that have been provided to the adults. These rights include notification of the charges levied on a offender, right to hire a lawyer, right to indulge in cross examination and confrontation with witnesses as well as the right to remain silent otherwise whatever he says would be tested in the court.

The rights that were not provided include the providing of a copy of the transcript of the appeal as well as the right to further appeal the decision in a higher court. Another case that had a major impact on the way juvenile offenders are handled was the case of Kent Vs. US in which the court accepted that a juvenile had the right of due process that takes place in the case of adult trials. 3. Similarities in the juvenile and adult justice system includes the right to stay silent, right to hire and consult a lawyer provided to both adults and juveniles.

The differences include the release of a child in the custody of parents while adults are released on the basis of a bail. Juvenile court hearing records are kept secretive, while adult court hearing records are publicized. Juveniles are not provided with the right to have a jury trial and this right has been provided to the adults. The purpose of juvenile justice system is to protect as well as rehabilitate, while in case of adults the purpose is punish and reform. 4. Juveniles should continue to receive preferential treatment as compared to the treatment that adults receive because firstly their crimes are not as severe in nature as