Over the years, juvenile punishment has changed in many ways. Increasing public pressure is the cause of why the system treats juvenile criminals as though they are adults. In comparison with adult courtrooms, similarities as well as differences and pros as well as cons are displayed. Efforts have also been made to prevent juvenile crime in society. However, with juvenile crime increasing year by year, kids are being punished totally different, even though certain crimes may not call for this type of punishment.

During the 19th century post Industrial Revolution era, an increase in less fortunate children created an increase in juvenile crime. Police and prosecutors advocated the start of juvenile courts because when the juveniles were tried in adult courtrooms, critics believed that the jury would not punish them because it felt sorry for them. The goal then and the goal now of the juvenile court is very much the same. The main goal of the juveniles court is to make the juvenile pay for the crime but to do so in a way that they would be able to be integrated back into society and be socially acceptable. In contrast, adult courts focus on punishment primarily (Young 1).

Violent crime amongst juveniles has risen over the years. The question has been raised about how to punish a juvenile who has committed a violent crime. Originally, the juvenile system was developed to punish underage persons committing minor crimes. However, facts showed that 75 percent of juvenile crimes in earlier years were felonies. According to Garcetti and O'Leary, any juvenile above the age of 17 who commits a violent crime is tried as an adult and if convicted, is released by the age of 25. Their crimes are released to the public, and the juveniles are provided with an adequate rehabilitation program. The kid criminals are held accountable for their actions along with their parents. At least that is what Garcetti and O'Leary want to see happen. Early intervention is the key to stopping juvenile crime and laws addressing juveniles, such as gun control and curfews, will possibly create a decline in the amount of juvenile offenses (Garcetti and O'Leary 176-78). Garcetti and O'Leary also stated, "The first lesson that should be taught in school is: You do the crime, you serve the time" (179).

Age also plays a role in the juvenile court. According to the "common-law tradition," juveniles under the age of 7 are not responsible for their actions and are not punished. Between the ages of 7 and 14, juveniles are considered to be irresponsible for their crime. Juveniles above the age of 14 are held responsible for their crimes and therefore are punishable. However, locking them up with adults is considered, according to one judge, to be like sending them to "a college for the perfection of adepts in guilt" (Talbot 567).

Males and females differ in their delinquency in a number of ways. Males statistically commit more violent crimes than females. Females are more likely to commit crimes such as shoplifting and prostitution. Females run away more frequently; whereas, males tend to be charged with underage drinking a

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Approximate Word count = 1310
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)