Artículo: Sistema de Justicia Juvenil de Minnesota, para utilizar con “Key Word notes”.
Entender el Sistema de Justicia Juvenil de Minnesota
Historia
Antes de finales de 1800, los niños eran juzgados en los mismos tribunales que los adultos y los niños mayores de siete años podían ser enviados a una prisión para adultos. A finales del siglo XIX, reformadores e investigadores trabajaron para hacer que los sistemas judiciales vieran a los niños no como "adultos en miniatura", sino como jóvenes que podrían ser rehabilitados y guiados lejos del mundo criminal adulto.
En 1924, todos los estados menos dos habían implementado sus propios sistemas judiciales juveniles. El sistema de justicia juvenil permitía al Estado proteger a los niños si sus padres no podían proporcionar la supervisión adecuada o si la familia estaba en necesidad de apoyo comunitario. El objetivo del sistema de justicia de menores recién formado era guiar a los jóvenes a seguir un camino adecuado para tomar decisiones correctas y a mantenerse alejados de la delincuencia. En otras palabras, el objetivo es rehabilitar a los jóvenes en lugar de castigarlos.
En los Estados Unidos durante la década de 1990, hubo varios delitos cometidos por menores. Los Estados y los políticos respondieron mediante la aplicación de la ley "mano dura contra el crimen" que continúa hoy en día. Las leyes para apoyar el principio "mano duro contra el crimen" son: la reducción de la edad en que los jóvenes pueden ser juzgados como adultos, la creación de leyes de sentencia obligatoria y la instauración de las políticas de "tolerancia cero" en las escuelas. Estas leyes volvieron a cambiar el foco de los tribunales de menores a uno de castigo, en lugar de rehabilitación.
Hoy en día, estados como Minnesota vuelven a centrarse en la rehabilitación, garantizando al mismo tiempo la seguridad pública haciendo a los jóvenes responsables de sus propias acciones.
Juvenile Offenses
In Minnesota, a juvenile is a person between 10 and 18 years old. In juvenile cases, a ‘status offense’ is a behavior that would not be a crime if committed by an adult. Some examples of status offenses include:
- Truancy (skipping school)
- Violating curfew
- Underage possession or consumption of alcohol
- Underage possession or use of tobacco
- Running away
Minnesota Juvenile Crime
In Minnesota, juvenile offenses are handled separately from adult cases and are closed hearings. A closed hearing means that what is said in the courts does not become available for the general public to read, see or hear. The reason that Minnesota holds closed hearings is to preserve the privacy of juveniles and their families.
If a juvenile is convicted of a crime, then that individual will have a juvenile record. Having a juvenile record can have many consequences, such as impacting the child’s ability to attend school or participate in extracurricular activities such as sports or music.
If a juvenile offender fails to follow the rules set by the court or commits another crime, there can be serious consequences including:
- Custody: Placing the child in juvenile detention. A child that is detained may be held up to 36 hours, excluding weekends and holidays. After that, a petition must be filed to determine if the child should remain in custody.
- Shelter Care: A child taken into custody may be placed in a shelter facility with limited contact with parent or guardian.
- Detention Hearing: A detention hearing must be held within 6 hours of the custody excluding weekends and holidays. The purpose of the detention hearing is to determine if there is some danger to the child or if there is a risk of the child running away.
- Change of Custody: A juvenile offense may also result in a change in legal custody (who cares for the child). The court may change custody to social services (foster care).
Repeated violations can lead to juvenile offenses appearing on their permanent adult record. Having an adult record can affect a juvenile’s future ability to become employed and can negatively impact educational goals.
Who Does What?
Minnesota’s juvenile justice system is made up of many different groups that provide services for youth who are at risk, who commit illegal acts or engage in inappropriate behavior.
Some of the groups that work together to help young people are listed below. Each group holds an important role in supporting juveniles.
- Education (schools): educates students on appropriate behavior, provides programs to help support youth, offers school resource officers and/or guidance counselors
- Community-Based Organizations: provide activities and educational opportunities to positively occupy youth’s free time and teach youth self-confidence and skills to succeed through childhood, adolescence and adulthood. Examples include YMCA, Scouts, Park and Recreation, after-school programs and community centers.
- The Courts: are responsible for ensuring public safety, holding youth accountable for their actions, protection the legal rights of juveniles and enforcing Minnesota and federal law.
- Faith-Based Organizations: (churches, synagogues, mosques, etc.): Provide youth a community, positive activities and mentorship.
- Local Law Enforcement (including correction and probation): provides School Resource (liaison) officers, arrest or issues citations to a youth suspected of committing an offense, protects public safety, may divert a first-time offender to a school or community-based program.
- County Attorney’s Office: some offices in Minnesota offer prevention programs individually or with community partners, assist with educators on prevention efforts.
Remember, our court system is responsible for ensuring public safety, holding youth accountable for their actions, protecting the rights of juveniles and enforcing Minnesota and federal law.
Source: edited from and used with permission by: JJCMN, Denise Kreager