Juvenile Justice

[DltUNH]

As some of you may know, I am actively pursuing a future career in Law enforcement. I am going the highly academic route, and I have a potentially big milestone this coming Friday. The State board of Juvenile Justice has a meets once a month in the state capital. This board has many people from all different backgrounds, from law enforcement, to elected officials, juvenile experts, judges etc. They also include students, and I have been chosen as well as a handful of other students by the Dean to sit on the SAG (State Advisory Group) for juvenile justice. I just would like to know if any of you have any advice (real world) that I could put out there on top of some of the things that I have learned in the academia world. I volunteer in a rough area so I have some sort of a real world experience when it comes to juveniles, but just anything else I could write down in my notes in preparation would be great. Thanks

DLT

[FPS207]

Juvenile justice isn't a great topic of law enforcement. Most LE view Juv. as almost a plague and tend to shy away from juvenile issues. It usually results in large amounts of paperwork for the officer, and a slap on the wrist for the juvenile offender. Unfortuantely, officers steer clear of juveniles waiting for the magic number that makes them an adult in their respective states, then pounce on them. Sorry to say that, but at least here in my state, that is what the general concensus is. Anyone disagree please feel free to jump in.