Chapter 8

Question 1

Funnel effect

Answer 1

how number of cases shrinks at each stage of system, from a large number of crimes at the top to a much smaller number of people incarcerated at bottom

Question 2

Funnel fallancy

Answer 2

juvenile justice system is not greatest funnel, police are primary participants in deciding issues related to juveniles (studies suggest 90% of their contacts don’t result in arrest)

Question 3

Female delinquents

Answer 3

• females are least likely to be detained compared to males
• females are detained more than males for minor offenses
• compared to males, females are institutionalized at a higher rate for status offenses
• females more likely to receive diagnostic services
• can affect disposition outcome
• courts often see rehab
• justice for juveniles is inconsistent across jurisdictions
• 80-90% of youth commit some offense in which arrest is right, but 3% are arrested

Question 4

Fingerprinting juveniles

Answer 4

• LE may take file fingerprints of those 14 & older involved in serious crimes
• separation from adult files
• kept locally unless national security is interested
• files should be destroyed if not adjudicated delinquent, or individual turns 21 w/o committing criminal offense after 16
• but is fingerprints are found during an offense, officer has PC & can be taken regardless

Question 5

Juvenile photos

Answer 5

• w/o consent from a judge, youth should not be photographed after being taken into custody… unless transferred to another court

Question 6

Alternatives for police to take

Answer 6

• release, not record
• release, write field report, not filed
• release, write formal report, refer to juv. authorities
• turn over to juv. authorities immediately
• refer directly to court through district attorney

Question 7

Of those taken into custody

Answer 7

• 69% referred to juv. court
• 23% handled within department & released

Question 8

Detention

Answer 8

detained prior to petition being filed w/court (prior to hearing)

Question 9

Why detain?

Answer 9

• protection of person or others
• no parental care
• ensures they don’t skip town
• prior record & seriousness of current offense
• if police enter case in juv. system, will be referred to juv. court

Question 10

3 options prosecution can do

Answer 10

• dismiss case
• file petition w/juv. court or transfer to adult court (waive jurisdiction)
• refer to screening unit (varies by jurisdiction)

Question 11

Disproportionate representation of minority juveniles in system

Answer 11

• selection bias reflects employees in system
• social & economic conditions of minority youth lead to these youth committing more offenses

Question 12

DARE

Answer 12

• 1982 by LA police
• in all 50 states… 25 million children (5th & 6th graders)
• “attitudes favorable” to avoidance of drugs
• doesn’t work b/c children don’t understand law, can provide inaccurate information, and are emotionally and psychologically vulnerable

Question 13

Neglected & abused children

Answer 13

• in most states, action must take place within 3 days, unless life threatening (immediate removal by social services/court)
• police are responsible for immediate protection (w/o warrant in emergency)
• 48 hours custody w/o hearing is ok

Question 14

Murder of baby Brianna

Answer 14

• only max of 18 years for killing your child
• mother released from prison in 2016 (served 8 years)
• dad & uncle got 50+ years

Question 15

Reasons for protective custody

Answer 15

• maltreatment in home- physical or emotional abuse
• refusal of medical/mental health care by parents
• child incapable of self-protection
• home environment is a physical threat
• parents can’t/won’t provide basic needs
• abandonment of child

Question 16

Police challenges to investigation

Answer 16

• should have training in interviewing children/witnesses
• must work within system guidelines to question/remove a child
• often includes police notifying social services, court, & family
• temporary custody cases need an appropriate placement (shelter, foster care, welfare facility)
• use of play therapy & anatomical dolls

Question 17

Anatomical dolls

Answer 17

• professionals remain split over doll use
• some say it’s necessary to get info from children, others say it’s too suggestive
• tools should be used to confirm or elaborate, not for initial or primary basis of an investigation

Question 18

Police evidence

Answer 18

• surroundings, home condition, clothing, bruises & other injuries, medical examination report by physician
• photos are one of the best ways to document child abuse (don’t wait to take them)
• also, video tape w/commentary

Question 19

Police investigations of child abuse

Answer 19

• separate families/others for interviewing
• take note of family dynamics/current/past issues (divorce, custody)
• assess child’s residence for predeparture preparation
• are there resources for voluntary departure?
• amount of time since child was last seen

Question 20

Threats in school

Answer 20

• indirect threat - vague, “If I wanted to, I could blow up this HS”
• Veiled threat - strongly implies violence but not explicitly threaten violence “We would be better off if this school were destroyed”
• conditional threat - warms up that violent act will occur unless certain demands are met “If you don’t pay me, I will shoot you”