How has juvenile justice changed since the 1970s?

In North Carolina, the juvenile justice system has changed drastically since the 1970s. In the past, juveniles were treated similarly to adults in the criminal justice system. They had the same rights and responsibilities as adults when it came to criminal law. This meant that they could be sentenced to jail time and tried as adults for certain serious offenses. The 1970s saw a shift in thinking about juvenile justice. Many states began to pass laws which recognized that juveniles have a greater need for special treatment and protection that adults. The goal of these laws was to provide more effective and rehabilitative alternatives to both reduce youth crime and to improve the future prospects of young people. The Juvenile Crimes Law in North Carolina was amended in the 1970s to provide stronger protections for juveniles. For example, the law raised the age of criminal responsibility from 14 to 16, meaning that those under 16 cannot be tried as adults in the criminal justice system. Juveniles are also not subject to the same sentencing laws as adults, such as life without parole or the death penalty. Furthermore, the law encourages the use of restorative justice practices and other non-punitive approaches that focus on rehabilitation and mental health treatment. These changes to the juvenile justice system in North Carolina have helped to ensure that juveniles are not treated the same as adults in the criminal justice system and that they are provided with the services and support they need to succeed and become productive members of society.

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How has juvenile justice changed since the 1970s?

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