Juvenile Justice

Juvenile Justice: An Introduction, Eleventh Edition, presents a comprehensive picture of juvenile offending, delinquency theories, and the ways juvenile justice actors and agencies react to delinquency. Whitehead, Lab, and Rocheleau offer evidence-based suggestions for successful interventions and treatment and examine the prospects for rebalancing the model of juvenile court. This new edition includes insightful analysis and the latest available statistics on juvenile crime and victimization, drug use, court processing, and corrections. Special attention is given to female involvement, disproportionate minority contact, and diversity issues. Each chapter enhances student understanding with Key Terms, a "What You Need to Know" section, and Discussion Questions. Links at key points in the text show students where to get the latest information.

John T. Whitehead was Professor Emeritus and former Chair in the Department of Criminal Justice and Criminology at East Tennessee State University. He completed his MA at the University of Notre Dame and earned his PhD in Criminal Justice from the University at Albany. He has published articles about corrections, probation, and the death penalty. He is the co-author of Ethics in Criminal Justice: The Search for the Truth, Report Writing for Criminal Justice Professionals, and Teaching Criminal Justice. John Whitehead passed away in January, 2026, shortly before the publication of this book. He is survived by his wife, Patricia, and his sons, Dan and Tim. Steven P. Lab is an Emeritus Professor of Criminal Justice at Bowling Green State University where he served as Director of Criminal Justice for 27 years and Chair of Human Services for 17 years. He holds a PhD in Criminology from the Florida State University School of Criminology and Criminal Justice. He is the author or co-author of eight books, co-editor of one encyclopedia, and author of more than 50 articles and book chapters. Gregory C. Rocheleau is an Associate Professor of Criminal Justice and Criminology at Ball State University. His research interests include bullying, criminological theory, and juvenile delinquency. His most recent scholarship examines bullying victimization among LGBTQ+ youth, e-cigarette use among youth, and theoretical integration of labeling and strain perspectives.

Preface CHAPTER 1 Introduction: The Definition and Extent of Delinquency Introduction Defining Delinquency Defining a Juvenile The Extent of Delinquency Comparing the Delinquency Measures Summary CHAPTER 2 The History of Juvenile Justice Introduction Property and Person The Rise of Juvenile Institutions The Establishment of the Juvenile Court Benevolence or Self-Interest? Juvenile Justice from 1920 to the 1960s Changes since the 1960s Summary CHAPTER 3 Explaining Delinquency: Biological and Psychological Approaches Introduction Theoretical Schools of Thought Biological and Sociobiological Theories Psychological Explanations Summary CHAPTER 4 Sociological Explanations of Delinquency Introduction The Ecological Perspective Sociological Learning Theories Strain Theories Subcultural Theories Routine Activities and Rational Choice Control Theories The Labeling Perspective Life-Course and Developmental Theories The Impact of Theories on Juvenile Justice Summary CHAPTER 5 Gang Delinquency Introduction Gangs Defined Early Gang Research The Extent of Gang Membership Characteristics of Gangs Why Do Youths Join Gangs? Gang Behavior Do Gangs Cause Delinquency Intervention with Gangs Summary CHAPTER 6 Drugs and Delinquency Introduction Gauging the Extent of Drug Use The Drugs-Delinquency Connection Research on the Drugs-Delinquency Relationship Interventions Alternative Responses to Drug Use Summary: The Response of the Juvenile Justice System CHAPTER 7: Policing and Juveniles Introduction Statistics on Police Work with Juveniles Professional Policing and Juveniles The Police and Juveniles Community or Problem-Solving Policing Citizen Attitudes toward the Police Recent Issues in Policing Concerning Juveniles Police Effectiveness with Juvenile Crime Summary CHAPTER 8 The Juvenile Court Process Introduction Detention Detention Alternatives The Intake Decision Processing Juveniles in Adult Criminal Court Adjudication and Disposition Summary CHAPTER 9 Due Process and Juveniles Introduction The Landmark Supreme Court Cases Additional Supreme Court Rulings Search and Seizure Rights in School Rights at Home and in the Community Summary CHAPTER 10 Institutional/Residential Interventions Introduction Institutional Corrections for Juveniles State Training Schools Other PlacementsProgram Effectiveness Institutional Life New Directions in Institutional Interventions Summary CHAPTER 11 Juvenile Probation and Community Corrections Introduction Probation Aftercare Supervision and Counseling Current Trends in Community Supervision Effectiveness of Juvenile Probation and Related Sanctions Effective and Ineffective Treatment Interventions with Offenders Continuing Concerns in Community Corrections Summary CHAPTER 12 Prevention in Juvenile Justice Introduction Risk Factors and Prevention Addressing Community Risk Factors Parent Training Preschools Programs Skills Training Resistance Skills Training Anti-Bullying Prevention Mentoring Programs Conflict Management/Resolution Multi-Component Programs Restorative Justice Summary CHAPTER 13 The Victimization of Juveniles Introduction The Extent of Victimization Explaining Juvenile Victimization Responses to Victimization The Role of Formal Social Control Agencies Summary: The Need to Recognize the Victim CHAPTER 14 Future Directions in Juvenile Justice Introduction Proposals for Reforming Juvenile Court Broader Issues Capital Punishment for Juveniles Life Sentences for Juveniles Who Murder Jurisdiction over Status Offenses Conclusion Glossary References Court Cases Index