ABSTRACT
This chapter begins with the history of juvenile court, significant US Supreme Court decisions, policy developments, crime trends, strategies related to the prevention of maltreatment of children and youth, evidence-based research, the politicization of policy, and advances that are aligned more closely with the Court's original mission. During the last 50 years, the juvenile justice system shifted to a more punitive approach influenced by conservative, neoclassical ideology. The first decade of the 21st century was characterized by balanced approach and an emphasis on recognizing that children and youth are different from adults. Prior to the creation of the first juvenile court, reformers sought to separate youthful offenders from the harsh environments of adult institutions. The transformations reflected more formal court procedures in juvenile justice and less discretion and individualized decision-making. To understand the role of the media and the politicization of policy, it is helpful to frame the response with data on arrests of youth under the age of 18.
