Youth Justice in America

Young people are fascinated by juvenile crime and justice topics because they are exposed to these subjects daily through the media, school security, and other everyday experiences. Tapping this interest, Youth Justice in America, Second Edition directly engages the broadest range of students in an exciting and informed discussion of the U.S. juvenile justice system. Written in a straightforward style that will appeal to all students, from high risk groups to AP and law and society classes, the authors combine thoughtful commentary with selections from actual federal and state constitutional criminal law cases to explore issues of juvenile justice. They address tough, important issues that directly affect today's young people, including: How should we balance liberty with the need for an ordered society? How do we enforce order while maintaining constitutional rights? Should we treat juveniles differently than adult offenders? Focusing on cases that relate to the Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, and Eighth Amendments to the U.S. Constitution, the subject matter comes alive through a unique blend of content, including: selections from key cases that affect students; easy-to-read definitions of important terms and concepts; sidebar features; engaging photos; individual and class exercises; and age-appropriate sources for further reading. Following in the footsteps of CQ Press's acclaimed We the Students, Youth Justice in America fills a pressing need to make legal issues personally meaningful to young people. The second edition features new cases dealing with strip searches at school, life sentences without parole for juveniles, electronic surveillance, and examples drawn from recent events in the popular culture. The book's freshly updated design facilitates student comprehension with new features such as legal definitions in the margin, a "Dissenting Voices" section to provide context for minority judicial opinions, new exercises, and much more.