Treatment of Juveniles in the Criminal Justice System

Close to one-fifth of all violent crime is committed by children under 18. Between 1987 and 1992, the number of arrests of juveniles increased by 150 percent, twice the increase for persons 18 years and older, while juvenile arrest for murder increased 85 percent. As stated by Representative Schumer, this hearing was convened so that experts from around the country could advise Congress on how to address the juvenile crime problem. Opening statements were made by the following U.S. Representatives (in order): Charles E. Schumer; F. James Sensenbrenner, Jr., and Steven Schiff. Those presenting testimony were: Dr. Barry Krisberg, National Council on Crime and Delinquency; Edward J. Loughran, Robert F. Kennedy Memorial, National Juvenile Justice Project; David B. Mitchell, Judge, Circuit Court for Baltimore City; Patrick Murphy, Cook County public guardian; Peter Reinharz, Family Court Division, New York City Law Department; Dr. Terence P. Thornberry, School of Criminal Justice, Rochester Youth Development Study, University at Albany; Jo-Ann Wallace, Public Defender Service for the District of Columbia; and John J. Wilson, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. (JBJ)