Juvenile Court Statutes–Are They Void for Vagueness?
Introduction
The modern juvenile court was born out of a 19th century spirit of social justice. This reform manifested itself in a concern over the need for protection and treatment of children to enable them to lead productive and healthy lives. The earliest reform in the treatment of children occurred in 1824 when the city of New York opened its House of Refuge where for the first time juvenile offenders were separated from adult offenders and were given corrective treatment. Boston (1826) and Philadelphia (1828) followed New York’s example and established youth institutions similar to the House of Refuge. In 1848, Massachusetts opened the first state juvenile reform institution.
Despite those advances, the adult offender and the juvenile continued to face the criminal justice system through the same process. In 1899 Illinois set the example for reform in this area by establishing a separate juvenile court. By 1910, twenty-two states had followed the Illinois example; by 1925 all but two states had juvenile courts, and today over 2700 juvenile courts exist in every state and the District of Columbia.
Suggested Reading
Reaction to Montgomery v. Louisiana: The Supreme Court Offers Hope to Juveniles Sentenced to Die in Prison, and a Little to Adults as Well
Brandon Buskey∞ Beneath its technical veneer, the Supreme Court’s recent decision in Montgomery v. Louisiana holds the promise of a sentencing revolution.[1] The Court gave retroactive effect to its decision in Miller v. Alabama, which barred sentences of mandatory life
The Role of the Crime at Juvenile Parole Hearings: A Response to Beth Caldwell’s Creating Meaningful Opportunities for Release
Sarah Russell∞ I. Introduction II. State Parole Boards and Juvenile Cases III. Parole Release Decisions and the Crime of Conviction I. Introduction In a series of recent decisions, the U.S. Supreme Court has placed Eighth Amendment limits on the sentences
Banishing Solitary: Litigating an End to the Solitary Confinement of Children In Jails and Prisons
Ian M. Kysel∞ Abstract The solitary confinement of children is remarkably commonplace in the United States, with the best available government data suggesting that thousands of children across the country are subjected to the practice each year. Physical and social
The Juvenile Justice Reform Act of 1976: Operation, Constitutional Vulnerability, and Effect
The emphasis on community protections in the Juvenile Justice Reform Act falls short of adequately serving the best interests of juveniles.