ABSTRACT
It is essential that policymakers consider the political origins of the juvenile court when looking to the court as a solution to the problem of juvenile crime. During the 1980s and 1990s, the most specific provisions of juvenile court procedure became highly politicized. Individual elements within state juvenile codes were “toughened” to provide the perception of a “quick fix” by allowing for the removal of additional categories of youths out of the juvenile system. In order for the juvenile court to retain the control of the wide array of youths ranging from status offenders to violent offenders, the different qualities of individual youths within those groups must be addressed with creativity, flexibility, and accountability. An Illinois law enacted in 1982 provides for the automatic transfer of older juveniles charged with serious offenses to the adult courts.
