Criminal Justice: Juvenile Justice Seminar*

Description:

Limit 15 students

This seminar will explore current issues relating to children who come into conflict with the criminal law. Matters considered will include: the history of juvenile justice, the goal(s) of juvenile justice; the demographics of juvenile offending; international standards; national standards; different models operating within the U.S. and elsewhere; and sentencing. Questions explored will include what rights do and should juveniles have within the criminal justice system? Should they be treated differently to adults? If so, when and why? If not, why not? If juveniles are treated differently, does this enhance or diminish their rights? What other interest merit consideration? How can the various interests be reconciled? How do existing models fare, in the light of these questions? Each student will be required to make a class presentation.

Evaluation is by a paper on a topic in juvenile justice of the student's choice, subject to approval. It is expected that each student's class presentation will be on the topic of this paper. This seminar is also available for capstone papers. Being approved for a capstone paper is conditional on selection of an appropriate topic and submission of an outline by the end of September and submission of a draft by November 9, 2011. The submission date for the final version of the paper (in all cases) is December 14, 2011. Failure to meet these deadlines will preclude a paper from being a capstone paper. Professor Sutherland will be traveling in the southern hemisphere during the first part of 2012 and it will not be possible for her to supervise or grade papers during this time.

With professor permission meets Capstone writing requirements

*Typically offered every other year

The American Bar Association accreditation standards require students to regularly attend the courses in which they are registered. Lewis & Clark expects students to attend classes regularly and to prepare for classes conscientiously. Specific attendance requirements may vary from course to course. Any attendance guidelines for a given class must be provided to students in a syllabus or other written document at the start of the semester. Sanctions (e.g., required withdrawal from the course, grade adjustment, and/or a failing grade) will be imposed for poor attendance.

*Typically offered every other year