Juvenile Justice System in America

What was the policy towards juveniles under the age of 14 in America based on?

• English common law

• Fear of juvenile super-predators

• Changes in the teenage brain

• Harsh laws in the 1980s and 90s

What was the main reason behind passing harsh laws in the 1980s and 90s?

• A national consensus against juvenile crimes

• The belief that juveniles could not form criminal intent

• The fear of juvenile super-predators

• The changes in the teenage brain

What did the Supreme Court ruling in Roper vs. Simons in 2005 end?

• Life in prison without parole for juveniles

• Capital punishment for juveniles

• The transfer of juvenile cases to adult courts

• The ban on cruel and unusual punishment

What was the basis of the Supreme Court ruling in Roper vs. Simons?

• The fear of juvenile super-predators

• The changes in the teenage brain

• A national consensus against capital punishment

• The belief that juveniles could not form criminal intent

In 2012, the Supreme Court ruled that courts were not required to sentence juveniles to what?

• Life in prison without parole

• Capital punishment

• Transfer to adult courts

• Community service

What did the Supreme Court conclude about sentencing juveniles to life in prison?

• It violated the Eighth Amendment

• It was necessary for public safety

• It was a deterrent for juvenile crimes

• It was a fair punishment for juveniles

In which state can juveniles as young as 14 be tried as adults?

• California

• Texas

• New York

• Florida

What did the Supreme Court ruling in 2012 conclude about the practice of sentencing juveniles to life in prison?

• It was necessary for public safety

• It violated the Eighth Amendment

• It was a fair punishment for juveniles

• It was a deterrent for juvenile crimes

What is the main argument against sentencing juveniles to life in prison?

• The changes in the teenage brain

• The fear of juvenile super-predators

• The belief that juveniles could not form criminal intent

• The need for harsher punishments

What is the basis for the ban on cruel and unusual punishment in the U.S. Constitution?

• The changes in the teenage brain

• The belief that juveniles could not form criminal intent

• A national consensus against capital punishment

• The Eighth Amendment