[19980508]98-449GOV_成人刑事司法系统中的青少年：概述.pdf

Congressional Research Service The Library of CongressCRS Report for CongressReceived through the CRS Web98-449 GOVMay 8, 1998Juveniles in the Adult Criminal Justice System:An OverviewSuzanne CavanaghDavid TeasleySpecialists in American National GovernmentGovernment DivisionSummaryBoth state and federal legislators have enacted provisions to relax the criteriagoverning the transfer of juvenile offenders to adult courts. Presently, all 50 states makesome provision for these transfers, and a 1994 crime act approved by Congress (P.L.103-322) requires the prosecution of youths 13 years of age and above as adults for gun-related violent crimes. Criminal justice professionals and the media have noted the rise of juvenile crimerates nationwide and a growing surge in youth violence. This in turn has highlighted thedebate over juvenile transfers to adult courts. Proponents of treating violent juvenileoffenders as adults argue that juvenile offenders should be held accountable and receivepunishment that is appropriate to the seriousness of their offenses and that society mustbe protected by their removal from law abiding communities. They urge that youngoffenders must be held accountable for