JUVENILE JUSTICE PROCESS
CRJ 537 3 Credit Hours
I. Course Description:
The organization, function and jurisdiction of juvenile agencies, police referrals, preventive techniques and youth divisions; juvenile court procedures and juvenile statutes.
II. Course Purpose:
To examine juvenile court processes, the practitioners in juvenile justice,
and the basic components of the juvenile justice system.
III. Objective: On completion of this course, students should be able to:
identify and discuss the core components and basic concepts within the
juvenile justice system
identify and discuss key legal decisions affecting the juvenile justice system
exhibit an understanding of the juvenile court process
identify and discuss the practitioners involved in the juvenile justice system
exhibit an understanding of and discuss the array of juvenile justice
dispositions
identify and discuss juvenile probation, corrections, parole, aftercare, and
the issues relating to each
identify and discuss effective and ineffective interventions in the field of
juvenile justice
develop an understanding of the special needs within the juvenile justice
system
IV. Texts and References:
Ayers, William (1997). A kind and just parent: The children of juvenile
court. Boston, MA: Beacon Press.
Clement, Mary J. (2002). The juvenile justice system: Law and process (2nd
ed.). Woburn, MA: Butterworth-Heinemann.
Elikann, Peter (1999). Superpredators: The demonization of our children by
the law. New York, NY: Plenum Publishing Corporation.
Polakow, Valerie (2000). The public assault on america's children: Poverty,
violence and juvenile injustice. New York, NY: Teachers College Press.
V. Grading Procedures: Grades will be assigned on the following scale:
600 - 540 = A
539 - 480 = B
479 - 420 = C
419 - 360 = D
359/BELOW = E
[Graduate students are assigned two additional reaction
papers and a comparative analysis -- 150 total points more]
During the semester, students will accumulate the following possible scores:
Caselaw brief = 30 points
Presentation = 50 points
Reaction Paper = 30 points
Book Review = 70 points
2 Examinations = 200 points
Final Examination = 100 points
Blackboard Participation = 100 points
Participation/Attendance = 20 points
Test scores are not curved.
No assignments will be accepted late unless circumstances arise which would
justify the acceptance of such, ie. hospitalization with verification or death within the immediate family.
A. Caselaw Brief: Each student will be assigned a case and must provide a
legal brief for that particular case. In addition, each student must provide
the class with a copy of their completed brief. The caselaw brief is worth 30 points. Further instructions will be provided to assist in this endeavor.
B. Presentation: Each student is required to present a particular topic to
the class on an assigned day. The topic for presentation will be based upon a journal, article, or other source of information regarding juvenile justice.
The purpose of the presentation is for the student to demonstrate competency
in communication skills, critical thinking, analytical skills, and the ability to generate class discussion among peers.
C. Reaction Paper: A reaction paper is to accompany your presentation. The
papers SHALL NOT exceed 5 pages and MUST be submitted pursuant to the
following format: TYPED, DOUBLE-SPACED, STAPLED, WITH NO COVERING MATERIAL.
Any citations should be in proper APA form. Papers submitted otherwise will
receive a reduced grade. NOTE: NO LATE PAPERS WILL BE ACCEPTED unless
circumstances arise that would justify such, ie. hospitalization with
verification or death within the immediate family. Further instructions will
be provided.
D. Book Review: Each student will be assigned one book to read, thoroughly,
analytically, and completely. Each student will then be responsible to
complete a book review. Specific requirements relating to the book review
will be distributed to the students. Further, class discussions will involve
each student conveying information from the book assigned. The examinations
may also include questions relating to the book assigned. It is in the
students' best interest to begin reading immediately and to take notes while
reading.
E. Examinations: There will be three (3) examinations including the final
examination. Each examination will be worth 100 points. The date of the
examination and the material that will be covered on each examination will be
provided. The format of the examinations can include multiple choice, short
answer, true/false, matching and/or essay.
Make-up examinations are a privilege and NOT a right. They will NOT be given
unless the student has made prior arrangements with the instructor OR
circumstances arise which would justify such, ie. hospitalization with
verification or death within the immediate family. The student MUST provide a written excuse. It will then be the discretion of the instructor as to the
validity of the absence and whether it is excused. If the absence is
unexcused, the student will NOT be allowed to make-up the examination.
F. Blackboard Participation: Each student will be required to complete a
weekly assignment using the university's blackboard system. Further
instructions to follow.
G. Graduate Students: In addition to the above requirements, each student
taking this course as graduate credit is required to complete two additional
assignments: (1) two additional reaction papers worth 25 points each on an
approved topic and (2) comparative analysis paper addressing the juvenile
justice system of two different states worth 100 points.
VI. Instructional Activities: This class will employ a seminar rather than
lecture format. This means that while the instructor will present information to the class, the students must add significantly to the discussion that follows. Therefore, students are expected to do all assigned reading prior to class and be prepared to ask or answer questions and contribute to discussions relative to the material assigned.
VII. Resources: Notes, Discussion, Group Exercises, Guest Lectures, Written
Assignments, Student Participation, Library, Internet, Handouts, Reserve
Materials, University's Blackboard.
VIII. Attendance: This course adheres to the policy published in the MSU Undergraduate Bulletin.
Attendance will be recorded regularly and will affect the
participation grade received at the end of the semester. Obviously, to
participate, you must attend class.
Students who miss no more than two classes and participate as
required/expected will receive the maximum number of points for participation.
Students who miss three classes or participate less than required will receive no more than half credit for participation.
Students who miss four or more classes or fail to participate as
required/expected will receive a "0" for participation.
Occasionally, a student will find it unavoidable to be absent due to illness,
emergency, or death within the immediate family. An absence resulting from
illness, emergency, or death within the immediate family will constitute a
valid excuse. Any student who finds it unavoidable to miss class due to the
aforementioned should consult the instructor prior to being absent, if
possible, or the same day of the absence. If you must miss class due a
university-sponsored event, you must notify the instructor prior to being
absent. The instructor will permit two excused absences. Please do not ask
for permission to miss class other than as stated above. NOTE: If you do
miss a class, it is your responsibility to obtain the notes and other
materials distributed, if any, during class. The instructor will NOT provide
materials for any day missed.
OTHER:
1. Extra Credit: There may be extra credit awarded at the end of the
semester at the discretion of the instructor for the following: class
attendance, class participation, attendance at extracurricular events.
Attendance at extra-curricular educational events is encouraged and will be
rewarded. The instructor will announce particular events of interest
throughout the semester. Proof of attendance is required in order for extra
credit to be received.
2. Consultation: The instructor's door will be open for ALL students. I
encourage students to visit the instructor early in the semester. If you are
having problems, please consult the instructor immediately. Do NOT wait until the end of the semester to consult your instructor if problems do arise.
3. Behavior: Discussion and debate is welcomed and encouraged but disruptive or disrespectful behavior will NOT be tolerated. Any student being either disruptive or disrespectful will be told to leave.
4. Tardiness: The instructor will not tolerate tardiness as it is a sign of disrespect to both the instructor and the other students. Please be on time.
5. Disabilities: If you are a student with a disability requiring special
accommodations, please contact the instructor immediately.
6. Cheating/Plagiarism: Cheating, plagiarism (submitting another person’s materials as one’s own), or doing work for another person which will receive academic credit are all impermissible. This includes the use of unauthorized books, notebooks, or other sources in order to secure or give help during an examination, the unauthorized copying of examinations, assignments, reports, or term papers, or the presentation of unacknowledged materials as if it were the student’s own work. Disciplinary action may be taken beyond the academic discipline administered by the faculty member who teaches the course in which the cheating took place.