The Criminal Child and its Potential for Change: A Presumption in Favor of Rehabilitation in Sentencing Juvenile Offenders

Prateek Shukla
I. INTRODUCTION The Federal Juvenile and Delinquency Act (FJDA ! "r#vide$ that %uvenile #&&ender$ $hall 'e tran$&erred t# a &ederal di$trict c#urt &#r cri(inal "r#$ecuti#n a$ adult$ #nly a&ter c#n$iderin) *hether "r#$ecutin) the #&&ender i$ in the +intere$t #& %u$tice., - The c#urt "re$idin) #ver the tran$&er hearin) $hall c#n$ider a variety #& &act#r$ includin). +the %uvenile/$ "re$ent intellectual devel#"(ent and "$ych#l#)ical (aturity0 the nature #& "a$t treat(ent e&&#rt$ and the %uvenile/$ re$"#n$e t# $uch e&&#rt$0 1and2 the availa'ility #& "r#)ra($ de$i)ned t# treat the %uvenile/$ 'ehavi#ral "r#'le($.,3 The$e "r#vi$i#n$ $h#* that the FJDA i$ $tructured ar#und t*# &unda(ental a$$u("ti#n$. Fir$t4 children *h# c#((it cri(e$ *ill n#t 'e treated a$ har$hly a$ adult$ *h# c#((it the $a(e cri(e$. Sec#nd4 children are "$ych#l#)ical *#rk$5in5"r#)re$$ in that they are n#t &ully equi""ed *ith the t##l$ critical t# "ra)(atic deci$i#n5(akin). It i$ thi$ latter characteri$tic #& children that *arrant$ the very e6i$tence #& the %uvenile $y$te(4 al#n) *ith it$ #*n unique $et #& $entencin) )uideline$. 7iven the (allea'ility #& the %uvenile (ind4 8 it i$ critical &#r $#ciety t# nud)e %uvenile #&&ender$ in the ri)ht directi#n 'y (akin) the( a*are #& their "#tential &#r de(#n$tratin) +)r#*th and (aturity., 9 I& there i$ a )r#u" #& #&&ender$ that (u$t 'e "re$u(ed ca"a'le #& chan)e4 it i$ %uvenile #&&ender$. Thi$ i$ '#rne #ut 'y the &act that $tate$ that "er$i$tently i("le(ent reha'ilitati#n "r#)ra($ &#r %uvenile #&&ender$ $ee a
! -

!: U.S.C. ;; 9<3!59<8- (-<<= . ; 9<3-. 3 Id. 8 CO7NITI>? ARC@IT?CTUR?. FROA BIO5POCITICS TO NOO5POCITICS D AIND IN T@? A7? OF COAAUNICATION AND INFORAATION 9=8 (De'#rah @au"t(ann D Earren Neidich ed$.4 -<!< 1hereina&ter Cognitive Architecture2. 9 . 7raha( v. Fl#rida4 !3< S. Ct. -<!!4 -<-F (-<!! .

. . . .

!-3

!-8 CRIMINAL AND CIVIL CONFINEMENT 1>#l. 3:.3GF 9<H dr#" in recidivi$( rate$. = @#*ever4 )iven that a keen a*arene$$ #& child "$ych#l#)y led t# the enact(ent #& the FJDA4 there i$ a $ur"ri$in) lack #& )uidance a$ t# $entencin) "r#cedure$ in the $tatute. G The a'$ence #& reha'ilitati#n5)eared $entencin) )uideline$ i$ even (#re $ur"ri$in) )iven that certain $ecti#n$ #& the Act i("#$e $trin)ent require(ent$ #n the vari#u$ act#r$ inv#lved t# kee" the %uvenile/$ reha'ilitati#n and "$ych#l#)ical *ell5'ein) in (ind. : S"ecialiIed $entencin) )uideline$ &#r %uvenile #&&ender$ are nece$$ary n#t %u$t 'ecau$e children are ca"a'le #& chan)e4F 'ut al$# 'ecau$e the &requency and $everity #& %uvenile cri(e$ ha$ $een $har" increa$e$ in recent year$. !< Part II #& thi$ N#te *ill e6a(ine *hy reha'ilitati#n i$ $# crucial t# %uvenile #&&ender$ 'y analyIin) a "$ych#l#)ical "hen#(en#n kn#*n a$ the $el&5&ul&illin) "r#"hecy and e6"lainin) it$ r#le in %uvenile recidivi$(. Part III *ill analyIe the FJDA/$ "r#vi$i#n$ and ca$e la* a""lyin) th#$e "r#vi$i#n$ t# ar)ue that the FJDA i$ already lar)ely )eared t#*ard$ reha'ilitati#n and4 thu$4 the $ta)e i$ $et &#r C#n)re$$ t# add a reha'ilitati#n5 )eared $entencin) )uideline t# the $tatute. Part I> *ill analyIe Su"re(e C#urt deci$i#n$ rec#)niIin) %uvenile #&&ender$/ need &#r reha'ilitati#n and the $tate$/ $tu''#rnne$$ in ad#"tin) $uch a $tance. Part > *ill ar)ue that C#n)re$$ $h#uld c#di&y a "re$u("ti#n in &av#r #& reha'ilitati#n *hen $entencin) %uvenile #&&ender$ in$tead #& )ivin) &ederal c#urt$ n# )uidance *hat$#ever in decidin) u"#n $entence$4 in the h#"e that thi$ *ill in&luence $tate$ t# (#ve a*ay &r#( their heavily retri'uti#n5'a$ed "#licie$. Part > *ill al$# "r#vide a (#del addendu( t# the FJDA. Part >I *ill c#nclude thi$ N#te 'y "uttin) the "r#"#$ed $tatut#ry "re$u("ti#n in "er$"ective and e6"lainin) *hy it i$ de$ira'le in the )eneral $che(e #& thin)$.
=

. @ARJIT S. SAND@U D C. EAJN? @?ASC?J4 IAPRO>IN7 JU>?NIC? JUSTIC?. POE?R AD>OCACJ4 DI>?RSION4 D?CRIAINACIKATION4 D?INSTITUTIONACIKATION AND DU? PROC?SS !98 (!F:! 0 see also R?STORATI>? JUSTIC? FOR JU>?NIC?S. CONF?R?NCIN74 A?DIATION AND CIRCC?S -G< (Alli$#n A#rri$ D 7a'rielle Aa6*ell ed$.4 -<<! (citin) re$earch #n re5#&&endin) that "#int$ t# +re$t#rative %u$tice "r#ce$$e$, #&&erin) (#re "#tential +i("act #n #&&ender$ and t# e&&ect chan)e, in #&&ender$/ 'ehavi#r than +c#nventi#nal %u$tice "r#ce$$e$, 1hereina&ter R?STORATI>? JUSTIC?2. G . See generall !: U.S.C. ;; 9<3-59<3F. : . See! e.g.4 ; 9<3- (att#rney )eneral 0 ; 9<33 (arre$tin) #&&icer 0 ; 9<38 ((a)i$trate 0 ; 9<39 (att#rney )eneral 0 ; 9<3: (c#urt 0 ; 9<3F (att#rney )eneral . F . See P?T?R L. SAIT@ ?T AC.4 UND?RSTANDIN7 C@ICDR?N/S D?>?COPA?NT 8<95<: (8th ed. -<<3 (#utlinin) vari#u$ $ta)e$ #& devel#"(ent durin) *hich the child/$ th#u)ht "r#ce$$e$ chan)e $i)ni&icantly in re$"#n$e$ t# envir#n(ental $ti(uli . !< . Je$$ica ?laine Becker4 Could "#ad $ids% #e Saved & #etter La's( A Co)*arison o+ Current Federal Legislation in the ,nited States and Canada 4 !: DICL. J. INT/C C. --F4 --F (!FFF 0 A#nica Trucc#4 -uvenile -ustice( Federal Involuntar Co))it)ent and the ,nderl ing .olic / A Case Co))ent on United State$ v. S.A.4 -= N?E ?N7. J. ON CRIA. D CI>. CONFIN?A?NT !F34 -<F (-<<< .

-<662 CRIMINAL C0ILD AND ITS .OTENTIAL FOR C0AN1E !-9 II. AN INTRODUCTION TO T@? S?CF5FUCFICCIN7 PROP@?CJ AND T@? ROC? IT PCAJS IN A C@ICD/S D?>?COPA?NT A $el&5&ul&illin) "r#"hecy i$ a "$ych#l#)ical "hen#(en#n *here'y a "er$#n 'e)in$ t# de&ine a r#le in $#ciety acc#rdin) t# the *ay they "erceive $#ciety t# have la'eled the(. !! An individual/$ (e(#ry #& their li&e e6"erience$ #"erate$ the $a(e *ay a$ a +three5track ta"e, #n *hich they $t#re $ituati#n$ they enc#untered in the "a$t4 a$ *ell a$ the re$"#n$e$ and e(#ti#n$ a$$#ciated *ith th#$e $ituati#n$4 '#th their #*n and #& th#$e ar#und the(.!- The individual c#n$ult$ the +three5track ta"e4, #&ten re&le6ively4 *hen &aced *ith $i(ilar $ituati#n$ in the &uture4 there'y en$urin) a "attern #& $et re$"#n$e$ t# $i(ilar $ituati#n$. !3 In $h#rt4 the "r#"hecy i$ &ul&illed and the individual 'e)in$ t# live u" t# the la'el $#ciety ha$ "inned #n the(.!8 A""lyin) thi$ c#nce"t t# a child *h# ha$ 'een incarcerated &#r the &ir$t ti(e reveal$ the *ay $#ciety $ketche$ #ut the child/$ &uture a$ a cri(inal. Ehen a child i$ &aced *ith a $ituati#n t# *hich they re$"#nd 'y 'reakin) the la* and4 c#n$equently4 i$ incarcerated4 thi$ un&a(iliar %arrin) event i$ $t#red #n their +three5track ta"e., !9 Their #*n e(#ti#n$ likely c#n$i$t #& revul$i#n4 &ear4 in&eri#rity4 and $#(e de)ree #& ra)e at 'ein) $ancti#ned in a *ay they have never e6"erienced. != The e(#ti#n$ #& th#$e ar#und the( likely c#n$i$t #& di$a""r#'ati#n.!G The child4 *h# "r#'a'ly $a* her$el& a$ a +'a$ically decent, "er$#n4 n#* $ee$ her$el& a$ $#(ethin) (uch *#r$e4 $#(ethin) (#re akin t# a cri(inal. !: Incarcerati#n4 'y it$ very nature4 in$till$ in the child a &eelin) #& "#*erle$$ne$$4 &urther $tren)thenin) the le)iti(acy #& the +la'el, $#ciety ha$ $ta("ed. !F Ehen $he &ace$ a $i(ilar $ituati#n in the &uture4 $he i$ (#re likely t# re$"#nd in *ay$ that *ill lead

!!

. CC?A?NS F. BARTOCCAS D STUART J. AICC?R4 JU>?NIC? JUSTIC? IN AA?RICA : (-d ed. !FF: 0 see ROB?RT T. TAUB?R4 S?CF5FUCFICCIN7 PROP@?CJ. A PRACTICAC 7UID? TO ITS US? IN ?DUCATION !35!9 (!FFG (#&&erin) vari#u$ de&initi#n$ #& the $el&5&ul&illin) "r#"hecy includin) +a &al$e de&initi#n #& the $ituati#n ev#kin) a ne* 'ehavi#r *hich (ake$ the #ri)inally &al$e c#nce"ti#n c#(e true., (qu#tin) ROB?RT L. A?RTON4 ON SOCIAC STRUCTUR? AND SCI?NC? !:3 (!FF= . !. BARTOCCAS D AICC?R4 su*ra n#te !!4 at 39F0 see CARRJ J. SI?7?C D JOS?P@ J. S?NNA4 JU>?NIC? D?CINMU?NCJ. T@?ORJ PRACTIC? D CAE !93 (!F:! . !3 . See BARTOCCAS D AICC?R4 su*ra n#te !!4 at 39F. !8 . Id.0 see RIC@ARD J. CUNDAAN4 PR?>?NTION AND CONTROC OF JU>?NIC? D?CINMU?NCJ !-= (3d ed. -<<! (e6"lainin) in "art 'ecau$e arre$ted %uvenile$ are aut#(atically treated a$ i& they are cri(inal$ +&ir(ly c#((itted t# their delinquent *ay$, . !9 . See SI?7?C D S?NNA4 su*ra n#te !-4 at !9!59-. != . See SAND@U D @?ASC?J4 su*ra n#te =4 at !8<. !G . See id. at F:5FF. !: . CUNDAAN4 su*ra n#te !84 at !-=. !F . BARTOCCAS D AICC?R4 su*ra n#te !!4 at :.

!-= CRIMINAL AND CIVIL CONFINEMENT 1>#l. 3:.3GF her 'ack t# delinquency. -< Becau$e a child/$ identity i$ $till devel#"in)4 h#*ever4 there e6i$t$ a )reater chance #& e6ci$in) the cri(inal ele(ent &r#( their $el&5c#nce"t. -! By the $a(e t#ken4 the &act that they vie* the($elve$ a$ cri(inal$ i$ likely t# "lay a (uch )reater r#le in $ha"in) their identity durin) adulth##d. -?d*in Ce(ert4 a "r#(inent "r#"#nent #& the la'elin) the#ry4 ha$ #utlined certain $ta)e$ inv#lved in the +"r#ce$$ #& 'ec#(in) deviant,. (! "ri(ary deviati#n4 the child/$ 'ehavi#r0 (- $#cial "enaltie$0 (3 &urther "ri(ary deviati#n0 (8 $tr#n)er "enaltie$ and re%ecti#n0 and (9 &urther deviati#n *ith $#(e ele(ent$ #& re$ent(ent t#*ard the "enaliIin) auth#ritie$. -3 Other (a%#r $#cial the#rie$ that $eek t# e6"lain the devel#"(ent #& %uvenile delinquency4 *hile "r#&e$$in) a variety #& di&&erent na(e$4 -8 e$$entially addre$$ the $a(e &act#r that the la'elin) the#ry d#e$. the quality #& an individual/$ $erie$ #& interacti#n$ *ith $#ciety. -9 Thu$4 the 'ehavi#r #& the child/$ +$#cial audience, a&ter their &ir$t 'ru$h *ith the la* i$ the "ri(ary &act#r in her $u'$equent devel#"(ent. An all t## c#((#n re$"#n$e i$ that the "u'lic a$$u(e$ that n#thin) *#rk$ and re$#rt$ t# incarcerati#n.-= Thi$ #&ten re$ult$ in the child 'ein) incarcerated *ith adult #&&ender$ in an in$tituti#nal $ettin).-G The +"r#ce$$ #& 'ec#(in) deviant,-: i$ (#re likely t# 'e c#("leted *hen the child/$ $#cial "enalty c#n$i$t$ #& 'ein) "laced in a $ettin) *here their c#("ani#n$ are adult cri(inal$. -F +1A2
-<

. See IRA A. SC@EARTK (ed. 4 JU>?NIC? JUSTIC? D PUBCIC POCICJ. TOEARD A NATIONAC A7?NDA 8= (!FF- . -! . See SAND@U D @?ASC?J4 su*ra n#te =4 at F:5FF (citin) re$earch $h#*in) that $tate$ i("le(entin) reha'ilitati#n "r#)ra($ $a* u" t# 9<H dr#"$ in recidivi$( rate$ . -. See CUNDAAN4 su*ra n#te !84 at !-= ($tatin) the %uvenile %u$tice $y$te( in$till$ in %uvenile$ a +delinquent $el&5i(a)e, . -3 . CC?A?NS F. BARTOCCAS4 JU>?NIC? D?CINMU?NCJ !:9 (8th ed. !FFG . -8 . See! e.g.4 @AROCD FIN?STON?4 >ICTIAS OF C@AN7?. JU>?NIC? D?CINMU?NTS IN AA?RICAN SOCI?TJ !=G (!FG= (&uncti#nali$( and $u'cultural the#rie$ 0 see also BARTOCCAS4 su*ra n#te -34 at !GG ($#cial c#ntr#l #r '#ndin) the#ry . -9 . FIN?STON?4 su*ra n#te -84 at !=: (+1A2ll $#cial 'ehavi#r can 'e inter"reted a$ e6"re$$ive #& the $tatu$ "#$iti#n #& the relevant act#r$ in the $#cial $tructure c#n$titutin) the $y$te(., 0 BARTOCCAS4 su*ra n#te -34 at !GG (+1D2elinquent act$ re$ult *hen an individual/$ '#nd t# $#ciety i$ *eak #r 'r#ken., (qu#tin) TRA>IS @IRSC@I4 CAUS?S OF D?CINMU?NCJ != (-<<! . -= . C+. S?RIOUS4 >IOC?NT D C@RONIC JU>?NIC? OFF?ND?RS. A SOURC?BOOL !8= (Ja(e$ C. @#*ell et al. ed$.4 !FF9 (+1S2tudie$ $h#* that c#((unity5 'a$ed "r#)ra($ can $erve a$ $a&e4 c#$t5e&&ective alternative$ t# incarcerati#n &#r (any y#uth$. ?ven the le$$ &av#ra'le $tudie$ $h#* c#((unity5'a$ed "r#)ra($ t# 'e a$ e&&ective a$ traditi#nal trainin) $ch##l$ in reducin) recidivi$(., 1hereina&ter 0o'ell2. -G . See SUSAN 7UARINO57@?KKI D ?DEARD COU7@RAN4 BACANCIN7 JU>?NIC? JUSTIC? !85!= (!FFG . -: . BARTOCCAS4 su*ra n#te -34 at !:9. -F . See Chri$t#"her @artney4 Fact Sheet/ 2outh ,nder 34 in the Adult

-<662 CRIMINAL C0ILD AND ITS .OTENTIAL FOR C0AN1E !-G child i$ unlikely t# $ucceed in the l#n)4 di&&icult "r#ce$$ #& reha'ilitati#n *hen 1their2 teacher$ durin) hi$ c#n&ine(ent are adult cri(inal$., 3< In additi#n t# thi$4 in$tituti#nal livin) cri""le$ the child/$ a'ility t# &uncti#n a$ a civilian4 (akin) the( (#re likely t# return t# the in$tituti#n4 )iven that it i$ the #nly "lace in *hich they can &uncti#n. 3! The &utility #& a "unitive a""r#ach t# %uvenile %u$tice i$ '#rne #ut 'y the uni&#r(ity #& the re$ult$ in $everal c#untrie$4 includin) the United State$.3C#nver$ely4 i& c#urt$ $eek t# intervene in #rder t# reha'ilitate the child4 rather than $i("ly inca"acitate the(4 they have a (uch )reater chance #& "reventin) the child/$ initial $h#ck at 'ein) char)ed *ith a cri(e &r#( devel#"in) int# a cri(inal identity. 33 Thi$ i$ even (#re crucial )iven that a va$t (a%#rity #& children *h# c#((it cri(e$ have already 'een (i$treated #r &#rced t# $urvive in har$h envir#n(ent$. 38 C#urt$ are there&#re in the 'e$t "#$iti#n t# di$"r#ve t# the$e children that they *ill c#ntinue t# 'e (i$treated4 )iven that the &#r(er u$ually enter a %uvenile #&&ender/$ e6i$tence at $ta)e t*# #& Ce(ert/$ +"r#ce$$ #& 'ec#(in) deviant., 39 The )##d ne*$ i$ that thi$ i$ "#$$i'le re)ardle$$ #& the child/$ a)e. 3= ?ven th#u)h #lder teen$ *h# c#((it cri(e$ have a 'etter chance #& av#idin) &uture 'ru$he$ *ith the la* than y#un)er teen$4 the latter are (#re likely t# re$"#nd t# reha'ilitati#n a&ter c#((ittin) their &ir$t cri(e$. 3G In either ca$e4 there i$ en#u)h r##( &#r devel#"(ent le&t in the child/$ "$ych#l#)ical ev#luti#n that a $incere a""r#ach t# re5de&inin) their "erce"ti#n #&
Cri)inal S ste)4 NAT/C COUNCIC ON CRIA? D D?CINMU?NCJ4 ! (-<<= 4 availa&le at htt".NN***.nccdcrc.#r)NnccdN"u'$N-<<=(ayO&act$heetOy#uthadult."d& (la$t vi$ited Dec. !4 -<!! . 3< . United State$ v. Bland4 8G- F.-d !3-F4 !38F59< (D.C. Cir. !FG- (Skelly Eri)ht4 J.4 di$$entin) . 3! . See SAND@U D @?ASC?J4 su*ra n#te =4 at !8<0 C@ICDR?N IN ADUCT PRISONS !-9 (Latarina T#(a$ev$ki ed.4 !F:= (+1I2t ha$ 'een &requently e$ta'li$hed that "ri$#n$ neither reha'ilitate n#r deter 1cri(inal #&&ender$2., . 3. See TOAAS?>SLI (ed. 4 su*ra n#te 3!4 at !-95-:. 33 . See SAND@U D @?ASC?J4 su*ra n#te =4 at F:5FF ($tre$$in) the i("#rtance #& av#idin) 'randin) a y#uth a$ a +*r#n)5d#er, 0 see also DA>ID N. SANDB?R74 T@? C@ICD ABUS?5D?CINMU?NCJ CONN?CTION G:4 !<= (!F:F . 38 . A.A. BORTN?R D CINDA EICCIAAS4 JOUT@ IN PRISON. E? T@? P?OPC? OF UNIT FOUR =: (!FFG 0 see also Dean 7. R#%ek4 B##k N#te4 GG J. CRIA. C. D CRIAINOCO7J !-<<4 !-<! (!F:= (revie*in) @OEARD D. LAPCAN4 PATT?RNS OF JU>?NIC? D?CINMU?NCJ (!F:8 (+1D2elinquent$ are 1u$ually2 alienated &r#( c#nventi#nal "attern$ and . . . are (#tivated in the "r#ce$$ t# c#((it delinquent act$., . 39 . BARTOCCAS4 su*ra n#te -34 at !:9. 3= . See P?T?R ?CILANN4 SUP?RPR?DATORS. T@? D?AONIKATION OF OUR C@IDCR?N BJ T@? CAE !!3 (-<<- . 3G . Id. The later a child $tart$ their cri(inal career4 the le$$ likely they are t# devel#" int# a career cri(inal4 th#u)h her "$yche i$ (#re di&&icult t# (#ld4 *hile the y#un)er a child $tart$ their cri(inal career4 the (#re likely they are t# devel#" int# a career cri(inal *hile re(ainin) &airly (allea'le "$ych#l#)ically. See id.

!-: CRIMINAL AND CIVIL CONFINEMENT 1>#l. 3:.3GF the($elve$ can hel" the( av#id the $el&5&ul&illin) "r#"hecy &r#( takin) e&&ect.3: Thi$ $enti(ent i$ re&lected a(#n) the le)al c#((unity0 Att#rney Andre* >ach$$ e("ha$iIe$ the need t# vie* children *h# c#((it cri(e$ n#t a$ heartle$$ (#n$ter$4 'ut a$ the re$ult #& har$h envir#n(ent$. 3F Thu$4 each child (u$t 'e treated care&ully 'y '#th the %uvenile %u$tice $y$te( and child5"r#tective $y$te($ in #rder t# di$ru"t the (eta(#r"h#$i$ #& a cri(inal +*hile there/$ $till ti(e t# d# $#., 8< The ne6t $ecti#n *ill e6a(ine the de)ree t# *hich C#n)re$$i#nal a*arene$$ #& thi$ &act "layed a r#le in the FJDA/$ enact(ent.
III.

E@AT T@? F?D?RAC JU>?NIC? AND D?CINMU?NCJ ACT R?>?ACS ABOUT CON7R?SS/S UND?RSTANDIN7 OF T@? CRIAINAC C@ICD

The FJDA/$ "ur"#$e i$ "ri(arily reha'ilitative4 'ut it al$# c#n$ider$ #ther $#cial realitie$4 $uch a$ the need t# kee" the "u'lic $a&e4 in #rder t# reach the (#$t %u$t re$ult &#r '#th "artie$. 8! C#urt$ are a&&#rded 'r#ad di$creti#n t# 'alance the$e &act#r$4 a "ractice that tend$ t# 'e the n#r( in (#$t %uvenile ca$e$.8- In ,nited States v. M.R.M.4 the ?i)hth Circuit C#urt #& A""eal$ held that the l#*er c#urt did n#t err 'y $entencin) the %uvenile de&endant t# &ederal cu$t#dy 'ecau$e it adequately c#n$idered the need t# reha'ilitate the de&endant.83 The c#urt al$# $#u)ht t# i("#$e )reater li(it$ u"#n her4 )iven that $he had 'een arre$ted4 th#u)h n#t c#nvicted4 $everal ti(e$ in the "a$t.88 In re%ectin) the de&endant/$ ar)u(ent that the FJDA require$ c#urt$ t# i("#$e the lea$t re$trictive detenti#n availa'le4 the c#urt e6"lained that *hile reha'ilitati#n i$ certainly #ne #& the FJDA/$ "ur"#$e$4 it i$ n#t it$
3:

. See BARTOCCAS4 su*ra n#te -34 at !:9 (characteriIin) deviance a$ a )radual "r#ce$$ #& 'ec#(in) (#re and (#re deviant 0 Ja(e$ @er'ie DiF#nI#4 .arental Res*onsi&ilit +or -uvenile Cri)e4 :< OR. C. R?>. !4 8 (-<<! (de$cri'in) ad#le$cent$ a$ +$e(iaut#n#(#u$, 'ein)$ that have +n#t &ully achieved the e(#ti#nal (aturity #& adulth##d, . 3F . SANDB?R74 su*ra n#te 334 at !<=0 see also TAUB?R4 su*ra n#te !!4 at 3 (+In *#rkin) *ith )an) (e('er$ and run5#&5the5(ill cri(inal$4 a c#n$tant that #ne i$ c#n&r#nted *ith i$ that the va$t (a%#rity #& "e#"le incarcerated in thi$ c#untry have led very har$h live$ &illed *ith vi#lence4 an)er4 and ra)e., . 8< . SANDB?R74 su*ra n#te 334 at !<=. 8! . See Ae)han ?. Ce*i$4 Lessening the Reha&ilitative Focus o+ the Federal -uvenile Delin5uenc Act/ A Trend To'ards .unitive -uvenile Dis*ositions( 4 G8 AO. C. R?>. !F34 !F9 (-<<F (+One (#tive &#r 1enactin) the FJDA2 . . . *a$ the 'elie& that %uvenile$ *ere (#re re$"#n$ive t# reha'ilitative treat(ent than they *ere t# traditi#nal &#r($ #& cri(inal "uni$h(ent., 0 United State$ v. A.R.A.4 9!3 F.3d :==4 :=F (:th Cir. -<<: . 8. See AARON LUPC@IL4 JUD7IN7 JU>?NIC?S. PROS?CUTIN7 ADOC?SC?NTS IN ADUCT AND JU>?NIC? COURTS !!F (-<<= . 83 . M.R.M.4 9!3 F.3d at :=F. 88 . Id. at :=F5G<.

-<662 CRIMINAL C0ILD AND ITS .OTENTIAL FOR C0AN1E !-F #nly "ur"#$e.89 The c#urt ackn#*led)ed the reality that *hile %uvenile #&&ender$ require reha'ilitati#n4 %uvenile #&&ender$ *ith "er$#nal hi$t#rie$ like the de&endant in M.R.M.48= are le$$ likely t# re$"#nd t# care&ul treat(ent than #ther$. Thi$ $"eak$ t# the very real need t# "r#tect $#ciety &r#( a "er$#n *h# (ay "#$e a threat t# the c#((unity. 8G In ,nited States v. -uvenile4 the de&endant initially received the har$he$t "#$$i'le $entence under the FJDA &#r hi$ &ir$t #&&en$e. 8: In additi#n4 the c#urt rec#((ended the $entence 'e carried #ut in a &ederal in$tituti#n. 8F The Ninth Circuit vacated the $entence and re(anded &#r rehearin) 'ecau$e '#th c#nditi#n$ *ere ar'itrary and directly c#ntradicted the FJDA/$ reha'ilitative "ur"#$e.9< Intere$tin)ly4 the M.R.M. c#urt criticiIed the Ninth Circuit/$ rea$#nin) in -uvenile $tatin) that the FJDA/$ )#al$ enc#("a$$ed (uch (#re than "ri(arily reha'ilitative "ur"#$e$4 "lacin) n# #'li)ati#n #n c#urt$ t# i("#$e a lea$t5re$trictive envir#n(ent *hen $entencin) a %uvenile de&endant.9! De$"ite the ten$i#n 'et*een the t*# deci$i#n$4 they are rec#ncila'le. M.R.M. c#ncerned a %uvenile *ith a hi$t#ry #& arre$t$4 9- *hile -uvenile c#ncerned an #&&ender *h# had "revi#u$ly achieved e6cellent )rade$. 93 In '#th ca$e$4 the c#urt$ *ere $i("ly e6erci$in) the +'r#ad di$creti#n 1the FJDA a&&#rded the(2 in the di$"#$iti#n #& %uvenile ad%udicati#n$, 98 'y )au)in) the de)ree #& dan)er the %uvenile "#$ed in #rder t# kee" $#ciety $a&e. Thi$ i$ an unav#ida'le e6erci$e #n the "art #& any c#urt decidin) #n a $entence. Re)ardle$$ #& the i("#rtance #& reha'ilitati#n4 a c#urt (u$t ulti(ately c#n$ider *hether "uni$h(ent (ay 'e (#re $uita'le in a "articular de&endant/$ ca$e. Indeed4 the ?i)hth Circuit ha$ $tated that c#urt$ (u$t have 'r#ad di$creti#n in %uvenile "r#ceedin)$ t# c#n$ider the #&&ender/$ hi$t#ry and character *hen decidin) #n an a""r#"riate $entence.99 In en&#rcin) the FJDA4 the c#urt$ t##k int# c#n$iderati#n each de&endant/$ "a$t hi$t#ry4 "er$#nality4 le)al tr#u'le$4 and the nature #& the cri(e in #rder t# &a$hi#n a $entence that *#uld (#$t e&&ectively carry #ut
89 8=

. Id. at :=F. . Id. at :G<. 8G . Jenni&er Park4 #alancing Reha&ilitation and .unish)ent/ A Legislative Solution +or ,nconstitutional -uvenile 6aiver .olicies 4 G= 7?O. EAS@. C. R?>. G:=4 :<F (-<<: . 8: . United State$ v. Juvenile4 38G F.3d GG:4 G:3 (Fth Cir. -<<3 . 8F . Id. 9< . Id. at G:<. 9! . M.R.M.4 9!3 F.3d at :=F. 9. Id. at :G<. 93 . -uvenile4 38G F.3d at G:<4 G:3. 98 . M.R.M.4 9!3 F.3d at :G3. 99 . Id. at :G<.

!3< CRIMINAL AND CIVIL CONFINEMENT 1>#l. 3:.3GF the Act/$ "ur"#$e$ *hile kee"in) the "u'lic/$ $a&ety in (ind. 9= The ?i)hth Circuit/$ deci$i#n i("lie$ that "re$cri'in) reha'ilitative (ea$ure$ *#uld 'e (#$t a""r#"riate &#r a y#un) teen %uvenile $e65#&&ender *h# *a$ al$# a victi( #& a'u$e4 *hile they realiIed that +an !:5year5#ld intelli)ent y#un) lady, *ith $everal "a$t arre$t$ *a$ (#re de$ervin) #& di$ci"line rather than reha'ilitati#n4 and $#ciety de$erved t# 'e $a&e &r#( her. 9G Other deci$i#n$ are in line *ith M.R.M. and -uvenile.9: The$e deci$i#n$ $h#* that &ederal c#urt$ have 'een rece"tive t# the )uidance i("licit in the FJDA 'y dili)ently carryin) #ut *hat they "erceive it$ #verarchin) "ur"#$e t# 'e.9F They al$# indicate that C#n)re$$ )ave the c#urt$ 'r#ad di$creti#n t# 'alance the c#("etin) intere$t$ #& $#ciety a)ain$t the #&&ender/$ need &#r reha'ilitati#n *hen deter(inin) a $uita'le "uni$h(ent. =< In additi#n4 $"ecial #'li)ati#n$4 n#t a""lica'le in adult cri(inal "r#ceedin)$4 are i("#$ed u"#n the vari#u$ "artie$ inv#lved in a %uvenile "r#ceedin)4 includin) the arre$tin) #&&icer4 =! the (a)i$trate4=- the Att#rney 7eneral4=3 and the c#urt.=8 Thu$4 the FJDA re"eatedly de(#n$trate$ C#n)re$$/$ $en$itivity t# the &act that *hat ha""en$ t# a %uvenile #&&ender 'et*een $ta)e$ #ne and t*# #& Ce(ert/$ +"r#ce$$ #& 'ec#(in) deviant, =9 c#uld have a $i)ni&icant in&luence #n the #&&ender/$ &uture. Thi$ cau$e$ the #'$erver t# a$k. *hy $t#" $h#rt #& "re$cri'in) a $"eci&ic $entencin) (andate de$"ite the &act that the FJDA i$ already )eared lar)ely t#*ard$ reha'ilitati#nP Ehile the deci$i#n$ in M.R.M. and -uvenile indicate that c#urt$ have under$t##d the FJDA/$ "ur"#$e4 ad%udicatin) *ith#ut a hin)in) "rinci"le i$ ri$ky 'ecau$e #& the li(itle$$ c#('inati#n$ #& $#ci#5 ec#n#(ic and "$ych#l#)ical &act#r$ c#urt$ (ay have t# c#n$ider *hen
9= 9G

. See id.0 -uvenile4 38G F.3d at G:3. . M.R.M.4 9!3 F.3d at :=F. 9: . See United State$ v. D#e4 93 F.3d !<:!4 !<:3 (Fth Cir. !F:3 (+1T2he Act $hield$ %uvenile$ &r#( the #rdinary cri(inal %u$tice $y$te( and )ive$ the( "r#tective treat(ent n#t availa'le t# adult$ accu$ed #& the $a(e cri(e$., 0 United State$ v. Fra$quill#5 K#(#$a4 =-= F.-d FF4 !<! (Fth Cir. !F:< (+The "ur"#$e #& the Act4 a$ a(ended in !FG84 *a$ t# enhance the %uvenile $y$te( 'y re(#vin) %uvenile$ &r#( the #rdinary cri(inal %u$tice $y$te( and 'y "r#vidin) a $e"arate $y$te( #& Qtreat(ent/ &#r the(., 0 United State$ v. ?.L.4 8G! F. Su"". F-84 F3- (D. Or. !FGF (+1T2he 'alance (u$t 'e $truck $#(e*here and $#(eh#* 'et*een "r#vidin) a reha'ilitative envir#n(ent &#r y#un) #&&ender$ a$ *ell a$ "r#tectin) $#ciety &r#( vi#lent and dan)er#u$ individual$ . . . ., . 9F . See M.R.M.4 9!3 F.3d at :=F0 -uvenile4 38G F.3d at G:3. =< . See generall M.R.M.4 9!3 F.3d at :G<0 -uvenile4 38G F.3d at G:30 Fras5uillo78o)osa4 =-= F.-d at FF0 E.$.4 8G! F. Su"". at F3-. =! . See !: U.S.C. ; 9<33 (-<<= . =. See ; 9<38. =3 . See ;; 9<3-4 9<394 9<3F. =8 . See ; 9<3:. =9 . BARTOCCAS4 su*ra n#te -34 at !:90 see SC@EARTK 4 su*ra n#te -<4 at 8=.

-<662 CRIMINAL C0ILD AND ITS .OTENTIAL FOR C0AN1E !3! $entencin) %uvenile$.== Ehen it c#(e$ t# children *h# have 'een arre$ted 'e&#re4 $uch a$ the de&endant in M.R.M.4 a c#urt/$ deter(inati#n #& $entence$ *#uld 'e ea$ier i& it had $#(e $tructure. Alth#u)h the FJDA +create1$2 a $"ecial "r#cedural and $u'$tantive enclave &#r %uvenile$ accu$ed #& cri(inal act$4, =G C#n)re$$ $h#uld e6"and #n thi$ "r#tecti#n in #rder t# "revent %uvenile$ &r#( devel#"in) a cri(inal $el&5c#nce"t. It ha$ (ade e&&#rt$ t# d# $# &r#( the C#l#nial ?ra #n*ard$ in a variety #& *ay$4 &r#( $i("le "#licy chan)e$ t# delinquency "reventi#n "r#)ra($.=: @#*ever4 the FJDA it$el& d#e$ n#t c#ntain e6"licit $entencin) in$tructi#n$.=F Alth#u)h the c#urt/$ deci$i#n in M.R.M. *a$ rea$#na'le4 it$ analy$i$ did n#t $ee( t# 'e )uided 'y any c#ncrete "rinci"le. G< The c#urt n#te$ thi$ lack #& )uidance 'y "#intin) #ut that n#t #nly did the )eneral Sentencin) 7uideline$G! &ail t# "r#vide a +'ench(ark . . . &r#( *hich t# (ea$ure "#tential di$"aritie$,G- in %uvenile $entence$4 'ut the FJDA i$ al$# v#id #& any re&erence t# the u$e #& Sentencin) 7uideline$ in arrivin) at a di$"#$iti#n.G3 ?ven $#4 the Ninth Circuit in ,nited States v. Male -uvenile $tated that the )eneral Sentencin) 7uideline$ are relevant t# deter(inin) the +"r#"er $entence, under the Act.G8 It (ay 'e ea$y t# de&ault t# reha'ilitati#n4 'ut the reality i$ that (a)i$trate$ and #ther %ud)e$ (u$t have the a'ility t# &act#r circu($tance$ unique t# each de&endant int# their analy$e$.G9 The FJDA re&lect$ thi$ c#ncern in Secti#n 9<384 *hich all#*$ a (a)i$trate t# deter(ine *hether certain &actual circu($tance$ #ut*ei)h the need &#r reha'ilitati#n4 $uch a$ the %uvenile/$ $a&ety #r the $a&ety #& #ther$.G= In ,nited States e9 rel. Sero v. .reiser 4 the c#urt ackn#*led)ed the need &#r thi$ a'ility4 'ut neverthele$$ 'e)an it$ analy$i$ 'y &ir$t atte("tin) t# e$ta'li$h a &ra(e*#rk t# $tructure it$ deci$i#n. GG The c#urt inter"reted the
==

. See In re 1ault4 3:G U.S. !4 !: (!F=G (cauti#nin) a)ain$t un)uided analy$i$ in %uvenile delinquency "r#ceedin)$ . =G . Fras5uillo78o)osa4 =-= F.-d at !<!. =: . 7ayle Ol$#n5Ray(er4 The Role o+ the Federal 1overn)ent in -uvenile Delinquency .revention/ 0istorical and Conte)*orar .ers*ectives4 G8 J. CRIA. C. D CRIAINOCO7J 9G:4 9GF (!F:3 . =F . See generall ;; 9<3!59<3: (-<<= . G< . M.R.M.4 9!3 F.3d at :G<5G!. G! . See generall ; 3993. G. M.R.M.4 9!3 F.3d at :=:. +C#n)re$$ $i("ly ha$ n#t $een &it t# direct that a di$trict c#urt (u$t take int# acc#unt the deci$i#n$ #& #ther c#urt$Reither thr#u)h the a))re)atin) *#rk #& the Sentencin) C#((i$$i#n #r 'y $#(e $#rt #& inde"endent $urveyRin &a$hi#nin) a %uvenile di$"#$iti#n., Id. G3 . Id. at :=:. G8 . United State$ v. Aale Juvenile4 -:< F.3d !<<:4 !<<: (Fth Cir. -<<- . G9 . See LUPC@IL4 su*ra n#te 8-4 at !!F. G= . !: U.S.C. ; 9<38. GG . See United State$ e9 rel. Ser# v. Prei$er4 3G- F. Su"". ==34 ===

!3CRIMINAL AND CIVIL CONFINEMENT 1>#l. 3:.3GF i("#$iti#n #& an e6tended $entence #n the %uvenile #&&ender$ *h# had c#((itted (i$de(ean#r$ a$ "unitive4 ulti(ately c#ncludin) that +a'$ent the 5uid *ro 5uo #& reha'ilitati#n an e6tended $entence i$ n#t c#n$tituti#nally %u$ti&ied.,G: Ehen addre$$in) *hat ty"e$ #& "uni$h(ent $h#uld 'e (eted #ut4 the c#urt ackn#*led)ed the delicacy #& $entencin) %uvenile$ and e6"lained that the 'e$t a c#urt can d# i$ t# (ake an in&#r(ed and rea$#ned deci$i#n that take$ int# c#n$iderati#n the +"ertinent &act$ relatin) t# the individual de&endant.,GF Cike the c#urt in Sero4 #ther c#urt$ are in a)ree(ent that %ud)e$ $h#uld n#t reach a $entencin) deci$i#n +&i6ed 1#n2 $entencin) "#licy 'a$ed #n the cate)#ry #& cri(e, the #&&ender ha$ c#((itted. :< Ehile thi$ i$ a &unda(entally c#rrect "r#"#$iti#n4 it i$ al$# va)ue. It $i("ly re"hra$e$ the c#nclu$i#n that a c#urt ha$ 'r#ad di$creti#n. At the end #& the day4 thi$ i$ n#t very hel"&ul t# %ud)e$ *h# (u$t 'e )iven )uidance a$ t# *hether $#(e &act#r$ $h#uld (atter (#re than #ther$. Alternatively4 any cla$$ #& re&erence "#int #r +&i6ed $entencin) "#licy, :! $h#uld n#t have the e&&ect #& inter&erin) *ith a c#urt/$ le)iti(ate a'ility t# *ei)h the &actual circu($tance$ #& any #ne ca$e. F#r e6a("le4 *hat i& #ne #& the &actual circu($tance$ a c#urt ha$ t# c#n$ider i$ a "articularly $eri#u$ cri(eP 7iven the $everity #& certain cri(e$4 $h#uld the &#cu$ #n reha'ilitati#n 'e a$ )reat a$ th#$e *h# c#((it (in#r cri(e$P The ne6t $ecti#n $eek$ t# an$*er thi$ que$ti#n 'y e6a(inin) t*# Su"re(e C#urt deci$i#n$ inv#lvin) vi#lent %uvenile #&&ender$. The ne6t $ecti#n *ill al$# e6"lain *hy even the Su"re(e C#urt/$ deci$i#n$ have n#t in&luenced $tate$ t# (#ve a*ay &r#( their retri'utive a""r#ache$ t# $entencin) %uvenile$. I>. T@? SUPR?A? COURT SP?ALS ON C@ICDR?N/S B?@ACF AND T@? STAT?S R?SPOND A. The Su"re(e C#urt/$ R#le in the ?6"an$i#n #& Juvenile O&&ender$/ Ri)ht$ The Su"re(e C#urt ha$ e$ta'li$hed a variety #& "r#cedural and $u'$tantive "r#tecti#n$ &#r %uvenile #&&ender$ thr#u)h three (a%#r deci$i#n$. (! $ent v. ,nited States4 a deci$i#n that e$ta'li$hed due "r#ce$$
(S.D.N.J. !FG8 . G: . Id. at ==95==. GF . Id. at ==:. +The (i6 i$ ulti(ately t# 'e 'a$ed u"#n an e6a(inati#n #& the individual/$ ca$e rather than a Q&i6ed $entencin) "#licy 'a$ed #n the cate)#ry #& cri(e4/ &#r e6a("le4 #r $#(e #ther uni&#r( #r (echanical $entencin) "#licy., Id. (citin) United State$ v. Layl#r4 8F! F.-d !!334 !!3F (-d Cir. !FG8 . :< . See! e.g.4 $a lor4 8F! F.-d at !!3F58<0 United State$ v. Baker4 8:G F.-d 3=<4 3=! (-d Cir. !FG3 . :! . #a:er4 8:G F.-d at 3=!.

-<662 CRIMINAL C0ILD AND ITS .OTENTIAL FOR C0AN1E !33 require(ent$ &#r *aivin) %uvenile #&&ender$ int# adult cri(inal c#urt$0 :- (In re 1ault #utlined 'r#ad "r#cedural due "r#ce$$ "r#tecti#n$ &#r %uvenile #&&ender$0:3 and (3 In re 6inshi*4 a deci$i#n that held a Ne* J#rk $tate la* requirin) a %uvenile/$ )uilt 'e "r#ven #nly 'y a "re"#nderance #& the evidence unc#n$tituti#nal.:8 Ro*er v. Si))ons:9 and 1raha) v. Florida:= are the C#urt/$ (#$t recent e&&#rt$ t# addre$$ %uvenile $entencin) c#ncern$. The$e ca$e$ are "articularly relevant t# thi$ N#te 'ecau$e the (a%#rity #"ini#n$ in '#th ca$e$ e6ten$ively di$cu$$ the "$ych#$#cial a$"ect$ #& %uvenile #&&ender$ that (ilitate a)ain$t h#ldin) the( a$ cul"a'le a$ adult$ *h# have c#((itted the $a(e cri(e. :G In Ro*er4 the C#urt a&&ir(ed the $tate/$ deci$i#n t# $et a$ide the death $entence #& the de&endant4 Chri$t#"her Si((#n$4 'ecau$e the #&&ender/$ y#uth and hi$ +tran$ient i((aturity, *ei)hed a)ain$t "uni$hin) the %uvenile a$ i& he *a$ a$ cul"a'le a$ an adult. :: The C#urt e6"lained that it i$ di&&icult t# di$tin)ui$h i((aturity &r#( c#ld5'l##dedne$$ *hen the #&&ender i$ under the a)e #& ei)hteen4 an a)e at *hich (#$t $tate la*$ c#n$ider an individual a$ an adult. :F Acc#rdin) t# the c#urt4 a de&inin) (ark #& i((aturity i$ the %uvenile/$ lack #& $ettled identity rather than the %uvenile/$ a)e )r#u".F< Thi$ lead$ t# *hat the C#urt called +de&iciencie$, in character that are re$"#n$i'le &#r ri$ky 'ehavi#r. 'ehavi#r that $u'$ide$ in (#$t ca$e$.F! There&#re4 it i$ un*i$e &#r a c#urt t# treat a %uvenile/$ cri(inal acti#n$ a$ th#$e #& an adult )iven that the 'a$i$ &#r the &#r(er/$ 'ehavi#r i$ a $et #& indi$tinct4 ever5devel#"in) character trait$. The C#urt e6"lained *hy the death "enalty (ay n#t 'e a""r#"riate &#r a (in#r4 'ut it did n#t $u))e$t that a child *h# ha$ c#((itted a hein#u$ cri(e $h#uld 'e e6e("t &r#( any kind #& "uni$h(ent. F- Si((#n$/ (#$t $eri#u$ cri(e4 "re5(editated (urder4 F3 (ilitated a)ain$t leniency in hi$ $entencin). Aurder i$ di$tinct &r#( #ther kind$ #& #&&en$e$4 even vi#lent #&&en$e$4 in that it inv#lve$ de"rivin) an#ther "er$#n #& li&e *ith (alice a&#reth#u)ht4F8 *ith li&e 'ein) a &unda(ental ri)ht. F9 The C#urt clari&ied
::3

. Lent v. United State$4 3:3 U.S. 98!4 99=59G (!F== . . In re 1ault4 3:G U.S. at 994 9G. :8 . In re 6inshi*4 3FG U.S. 39:4 3=: (!FG< . A %uvenile/$ )uilt (u$t 'e "r#ven 'ey#nd a rea$#na'le d#u't a$ in the ca$e #& an adult de&endant. Id. :9 . Ro*er4 983 U.S. at 1INS?RT PINCIT?S2 := . 1raha)4 !3< S. Ct. at 1INS?RT PINCIT?S2 :G . See 1raha)! !3< S. Ct. at -<-=5-G0 Ro*er! 983 U.S. at 9G<. :: . Ro*er4 983 U.S. at 9G34 9G:5GF. :F . Id. at 9G3. F< . Id. at 9G<. F! . Id. F. See generall id. F3 . Id. at 99G. F8 . !: U.S.C. ; !!!!(a (-<<3 . F9 . See U.S. CONST. a(end. TI>4 ; !.

!38 CRIMINAL AND CIVIL CONFINEMENT 1>#l. 3:.3GF that even th#u)h a %uvenile c#((it$ a hein#u$ cri(e4 the State +cann#t e6tin)ui$h hi$ li&e and hi$ "#tential t# attain a (ature under$tandin) #& hi$ #*n hu(anity4,F= 'ut it +can e6act &#r&eiture #& $#(e #& the (#$t 'a$ic li'ertie$, $uch a$ &reed#(. FG Thu$4 a %uvenile *h# c#((it$ a hein#u$ cri(e $h#uld certainly 'e "uni$hed4 'ut n#t t# the $a(e de)ree a$ an adult *h# c#((it$ the $a(e cri(e.F: In 1raha) v. Florida4 the C#urt rever$ed the $tate c#urt/$ deci$i#n a&&ir(in) the de&endant/$ $entence #& li&e *ith#ut "ar#le &#r the cri(e$ #& ar(ed 'ur)lary *ith a$$ault #r 'attery and atte("ted5ar(ed r#''ery. FF The C#urt held that the "uni$h(ent #& li&e *ith#ut the "#$$i'ility #& "ar#le *a$ di$"r#"#rti#nate t# a n#n5h#(icide cri(e c#((itted 'y a %uvenile &#r the $a(e rea$#n$ $tated in Ro*er.!<< The C#urt di$cu$$ed the i("#rtance #& av#idin) a +%ud)(ent at the #ut$et that . . . #&&ender$ never *ill 'e &it t# reenter $#ciety.,!<! In additi#n4 the c#ncurrin) #"ini#n in 1raha) added that de$"ite 'ein) a %uvenile #&&ender4 and "erha"$ n#t de$ervin) #& +the $ec#nd (#$t $evere "enalty "er(itted 'y la*4, !<- 7raha( +c#((itted $eri#u$ #&&en$e$4 &#r *hich he de$erve$ $eri#u$ "uni$h(ent., !<3 In '#th 1raha) and Ro*er4 the Su"re(e C#urt &#cu$ed #n reha'ilitati#n de$"ite 'ein) &aced *ith de&endant$ *h# had c#((itted vi#lent cri(e$. !<8 State c#urt$ have n#t d#ne the $a(e. B. The State C#urt$/ Re$"#n$e$ The Su"re(e C#urt/$ deci$i#n$ #& Ro*er and 1raha) *#uld lead the rea$#na'le #'$erver t# 'elieve that $tate$ *#uld $hi&t the treat(ent #& %uvenile #&&ender$. @#*ever4 (any $tate$ $h#* re(arka'le dedicati#n t# the retri'uti#n the#ry #& "uni$h(ent4 i("le(entin) (uch har$her "enaltie$ &#r %uvenile$.!<9 The rea$#n 'ehind thi$ c#unterintuitive re$ult *a$ that (#$t $tate$ had an alar(in)ly ri)id idea #& the ty"e #& treat(ent %uvenile #&&ender$ de$erved.!<= Thinkin) that the Su"re(e C#urt had a&&#rded %uvenile$ (#re than en#u)h "r#tecti#n4 (any $tate$ a$$u(ed they *ere
F= FG

. Ro*er4 983 U.S. at 9G35G8. . Id. F: . See Aatthe* Dre6ler4 -udicial Revie' ; the .olic o+ Federal A&stention/ A -uvenile<s Right to Ensure the E9istence o+ a "Su&stantial Federal Interest 4% F: AIC@. C. R?>. !<<G4 !<!- (-<<< (+Children $h#uld n#t 'e treated a$ i& they are $i("ly y#un) adult$. They have unique need$ and require $"ecial treat(ent 'y the le)al $y$te(., . FF . 1raha)4 !3< S. Ct. at -<38. !<< . Id. !<! . Id. at -<3<. !<. Id. at -<-G (qu#tin) @ar(elin v. Aichi)an4 9<! U.S. F9G4 !<<! (!FF! . !<3 . Id. at -<8-. !<8 . Id. at -<-F53<0 Ro*er4 983 U.S. at 9=F5G<. !<9 . Park4 su*ra n#te 8G4 at GF=5FG. !<= . Id. at GFG.

-<662 CRIMINAL C0ILD AND ITS .OTENTIAL FOR C0AN1E !39 n#* &ree t# "uni$h %uvenile$.!<G Thi$ de$ire t# "uni$h had 'een 'uildin) &#r $#(e ti(e4 even 'e&#re the Su"re(e C#urt/$ deci$i#n in Ro*er4!<: *hich *a$ n#t the &ir$t ti(e the Su"re(e C#urt intervened #n children/$ 'ehal&. !<F ?ven in the &ace #& 'r#ad "r#n#unce(ent$ addre$$in) a variety #& "r#tecti#n$4 includin) $entencin)4 it 'eca(e clear that the $tate$ *ere n#t heedin) the Su"re(e C#urt/$ advice. They c#ntinued t# i("le(ent "#licie$ that +)reatly $hi&ted, the &#cu$ #& the %uvenile c#urt &r#( reha'ilitati#n t# "uni$h(ent.!!< S"eci&ically4 the "rinci"le that dr#ve the $tate$/ treat(ent #& %uvenile #&&ender$ *a$ the nature #& the cri(e c#((itted4 !!! an inquiry the FJDA4 even t#day4 c#n$ider$ #nly one &act#r in any analy$i$ "er&#r(ed 'y a c#urt.!!- Predicta'ly4 cri(e 'e)an t# increa$e $har"ly. !!3 De$"ite the knack &#r 'rilliant analy$e$ and "$ych#$#cial in$i)ht the %u$tice$ di$"layed in Ro*er and 1raha)4 it i$ ti(e an#ther 'ranch #& the 7#vern(ent lead the char)e a)ain$t retri'utive a""r#ache$ t# %uvenile #&&ender$. A$ Jenni&er Park "#int$ #ut re"eatedly4 it *a$ the $tate +"#licy(aker$, !!8 that dictated *hether c#urt$ *ere +all#*1ed2 #r require1d2, !!9 t# act in a certain *ay *hen &aced *ith %uvenile #&&ender$.!!= Thu$4 de$"ite el#quent and ela'#rate deci$i#n$ &r#( the Su"re(e C#urt4 the key t# &uelin) *ide$"read chan)e (i)ht lie in "r#active deci$i#n5 (akin) &r#( the nati#n/$ hi)he$t "#licy(aker$. !!G Thi$ i$ nece$$ary n#* that the $tate$ can decide *hat c#n$titute$ delinquency *ithin their '#rder$ and4 'y e6ten$i#n4 *hat $h#uld 'e d#ne a'#ut it. !!: De$"ite the FJDA/$
!<G

. Id. +1?2ven 'e&#re the ink *a$ dry #n the $tandard$ and ca$e la* acc#rdin) children cri(inal due "r#ce$$ ri)ht$ in %uvenile delinquency "r#ceedin)$4 $#(e "#licy(aker$ *ere vie*in) the en&ranchi$e(ent #& children a$ a l#n)5a*aited *ind#* #& #""#rtunity t# h#ld the( accounta&le &#r their la* vi#lati#n$., Id. (qu#tin) @unter @ur$t III4 Cri)e Scene/ Treating -uveniles as Adults4 TRIAC4 July !FFG4 at 38 . !<: . Andrea T. AartineI4 B##k N#te4 Su*er*redators/ The De)oni=ation o+ Our Children & the La' 4 3 J. C. D FAA. STUD. -9!4 -9! (-<<! (+The re$"#n$e 1t# delinquency in the "a$t2 *a$ t# . . . &ind #ut *hat (ade the child delinquent4 and deter(ine *hat chan)e$ c#uld 'e (ade t# i("r#ve the child/$ li&e. The current re$"#n$e4 h#*ever4 i$ "uni$h(ent and retri'uti#n4 'ecau$e (any "e#"le4 "articularly "#litician$4 are tired #& "a("erin) delinquent children., . !<F . See Park4 su*ra n#te 8G4 at GF9. The C#urt ha$ &#r(ulated a variety #& "r#cedural and $u'$tantive "r#tecti#n$ &#r children in ca$e$ $uch a$ In re 6inshi*4 In re 1ault4 $ent4 and4 (#$t recently4 1raha). See su*ra Part.I>.A and n#te$ :-5FG and acc#("anyin) di$cu$$i#n. !!< . See Park4 su*ra n#te 8G4 at GFG. !!! . Id. at GFG5F:. !!. See !: U.S.C. ; 9<3-. !!3 . Becker4 su*ra n#te !<4 at --F. !!8 . Park4 su*ra n#te 8G4 at GFG. !!9 . Id. at GF:. !!= . See generall id. !!G . Id. at GFG. !!: . A#nya A. Bunch4 -uvenile Trans+er .roceedings/ A .lace +or

!3= CRIMINAL AND CIVIL CONFINEMENT 1>#l. 3:.3GF e6i$tence4 A(erican %uvenile delinquency la* i$ hi)hly &ra)(ented. !!F 7iven that %uvenile cri(e i$ "erva$ive acr#$$ the c#untry !-< and the FJDA ha$ &#$tered the reha'ilitati#n the#ry #& $entencin)4 &ederal le)i$lati#n (i)ht de(#n$trate that the i$$ue i$ #ne #& nati#nal i("#rtance0 the ne6t l#)ical $te" i$ t# create a &ederal $tatut#ry "re$u("ti#n in &av#r #& reha'ilitati#n *hen $entencin) %uvenile$. >. CODIFJIN7 A PR?SUAPTION IN FA>OR OF R?@ABICITATION

A. A Pr#"#$ed Addendu( #n Sentencin) t# the Federal Juvenile Delinquency Act C#n$iderin) the e6i$tin) $tatut#ry ele(ent$ and &ederal c#urt deci$i#n$4 C#n)re$$ can c#n$truct a narr#* $entencin) a""r#ach (#re &#cu$ed #n reha'ilitati#n &#r %uvenile$ than *hat currently e6i$t$. On the #ne hand4 the FJDA aid$ in the "unitive "ur"#$e$ #& &ederal $entencin) "r#cedure$. @#*ever4 it *a$ created $"eci&ically t# "r#vide an +enclave, that &urther$ the )#al #& reha'ilitatin) %uvenile #&&ender$. !-! In additi#n4 the Su"re(e C#urt ha$ re"eatedly e6"lained that the indi$tinct and tran$ient nature #& a child/$ (ind render$ a %uvenile #&&ender le$$ cul"a'le than an adult &#r c#((ittin) the $a(e cri(e. !-- S#cial $cience $u""#rt$ the idea that incarcerati#n can cau$e a child t# $ee her$el& a$ a cri(inal4 $ince thi$ i$ the la'el $#ciety ha$ )iven her. !-3 On the #ther hand4 the C#urt ha$ al$# cauti#ned that "uni$h(ent $h#uld 'e (eted #ut i& nece$$ary4 a$ l#n) a$ it i$ n#t e6ce$$ive.!-8 The FJDA al$# $eek$ t# "re$erve 'r#ad di$creti#n &#r a nu('er #& act#r$ includin) the (a)i$trate "re$idin) #ver initial a""earance$4 the Att#rney 7eneral4 and the c#urt$. !-9 There&#re4 it i$ #'vi#u$ that thi$ di$creti#n need$ t# 'e "re$erved4 'ut $h#uld 'e )uided 'y the reha'ilitative a$"ect *ith an eye t# di$ru"tin) the %uvenile/$ +"r#ce$$ #& 'ec#(in) deviant.,!-= Thi$ "r#duce$ t*# rec#((endati#n$ that *ill hel" t# &urther re&ine #ur analy$i$. Fir$t4 a c#urt $h#uld at all ti(e$ &av#r reha'ilitati#n a$ the "re&erred c#n$equence &#r a %uvenile #&&ender $ince an #&&ender *ill not 'e a'le t# 'ene&it &r#( an #""#rtunity +t# attain a (ature under$tandin) #& hi$ #*n hu(anity.,!-G Sec#nd4 the c#urt $h#uld retain it$ di$creti#n t# c#n$ider
Restorative -ustice Values4 8G @OE. C.J. F<F4 F!: (-<<8 . !!F . Id. !-< . See Becker4 su*ra n#te !<4 at --F0 Trucc#4 su*ra n#te !<4 at -<F. !-! . United State$ v. Fra$quill#5K#(#$a4 =-= F.-d FF4 !<! (Fth Cir. !F:< . !-. 1raha)4 !3< S. Ct. at -<-G0 Ro*er4 983 U.S. at 9G<. !-3 . See su*ra n#te$ !<5!: and acc#("anyin) te6t. !-8 . 1raha)4 !3< S. Ct. at -<8-. !-9 . !: U.S.C. ;; 9<384 9<394 9<3- (-<<< . !-= . See generall BARTOCCAS4 su*ra n#te -34 at !:9. !-G . See Ro*er4 983 U.S. at 9G35G8.

-<662 CRIMINAL C0ILD AND ITS .OTENTIAL FOR C0AN1E !3G all the &actual circu($tance$ unique t# the %uvenile #&&ender in que$ti#n4 'ut in$tead #& en)a)in) in analy$e$ *ith n# l#)ical l#cu$4 $h#uld 'e required t# c#n$ider each &act#r a$ (iti)atin) #r +a))ravatin), !-: 'ith res*ect to the #&&ender/$ entitle(ent t# reha'ilitati#n. But *hat le)al c#n$truct can C#n)re$$ u$e t# &av#r reha'ilitati#n in an area *here %udicial di$creti#n and the a'ility t# *ei)h (any &act#r$ *ith#ut (uch re$traint i$ crucial t# achievin) an i("#rtant )#alP The (#$t *#rka'le c#n$truct that can 'e u$ed t# achieve thi$ delicate 'alance i$ the "re$u("ti#n. A "re$u("ti#n i$ a +le)al in&erence #r a$$u("ti#n that a &act e6i$t$,!-F *hich ari$e$ &r#( it$ u$ual c#nnecti#n *ith #ther &act$. !3< In the c#nte6t #& $entencin) %uvenile$4 there $h#uld4 there&#re4 'e a +le)al in&erence #r a$$u("ti#n,!3! that a child *h# ha$ c#((itted a cri(e *ill re$"#nd t# reha'ilitati#n. The a$$u("ti#n that thi$ ca"acity &#r reha'ilitati#n e6i$t$ i$ the +$el&5evident re$ult #& hu(an rea$#n and e6"erience4,!3- *hich ha$ $h#*n that children are "$ych#l#)ical *#rk$5in5 "r#)re$$. Thu$4 a c#urt/$ $entencin) analy$i$ $h#uld 'e)in *ith a (andated "re$u("ti#n in &av#r #& reha'ilitatin) the %uvenile #&&ender. @ar(#ny *ith the FJDA/$ &ra(e*#rk can 'e en$ured 'y utiliIin) lan)ua)e &r#( #ther "r#vi$i#n$ t# '#l$ter a $entencin) analy$i$. Secti#n 9<3- "r#vide$ a nu('er #& $i)ni&icant &act#r$ &#r a c#urt t# c#n$ider *hen deter(inin) *hether a tran$&er t# adult $tatu$ *#uld 'e in the intere$t #& %u$tice !33 includin) the child/$ a)e0 $#cial 'ack)r#und0 +the nature #& the alle)ed #&&en$e0 the e6tent and nature #& the %uvenile/$ "ri#r delinquency rec#rd0 the %uvenile/$ "re$ent intellectual devel#"(ent and "$ych#l#)ical (aturity0 the nature #& "a$t treat(ent e&&#rt$ and the %uvenile/$ re$"#n$e t# $uch e&&#rt$0 1and2 the availa'ility #& "r#)ra($ de$i)ned t# treat the %uvenile/$ 'ehavi#ral "r#'le($.,!38 The$e &act#r$ *#uld 'e %u$t a$ illu(inatin) t# a %ud)e decidin) u"#n a $entence. C#('inin) the c#nce"t #& a "re$u("ti#n &#r reha'ilitati#n *ith the$e &act#r$ "r#duce$ a relia'le &ra(e*#rk *ithin *hich t# *#rk. Fir$t4 the $entencin) c#urt $h#uld "re$u(e4 even 'e&#re it 'e)in$ $entencin)4 that the child in &r#nt #& it "#$$e$$e$ +tran$ient i((aturity, !39 that render$ her le$$
!-: !-F

. Id. at 99G. . BCACL/S CAE DICTIONARJ !3<8 (Fth ed. -<<F . !3< . Eard v. Aetr#. Ci&e In$. C#.4 33 A. F<-4 F<8 (C#nn. !:F9 (+The ter( Q"re$u("ti#n/ i$ u$ed t# $i)ni&y that *hich (ay 'e a$$u(ed *ith#ut "r##&4 #r taken &#r )ranted. It i$ a$$erted a$ a $el& evident re$ult #& hu(an rea$#n and e6"erience., (citati#n #(itted . !3! . BCACL/S CAE DICTIONARJ !3<8 (Fth ed. -<<F . !3. 6ard4 33 A. at F<8. !33 . !: U.S.C. ; 9<3-. !38 . Id. !39 . Ro*er4 983 U.S. at 9G3.

!3: CRIMINAL AND CIVIL CONFINEMENT 1>#l. 3:.3GF cul"a'le than an adult c#((ittin) the $a(e cri(e. !3= The c#urt then l##k$ t# the rec#rd and c#n$ider$ *hether the &actual circu($tance$ it (ay c#n$ider under ; 9<3- #& the FJDA!3G *reserves the "re$u("ti#n in &av#r #& reha'ilitati#n #r 'eighs against it. By "r#vidin) c#urt$ *ith thi$ )uidin) "rinci"le4 %uvenile de&endant$ *ill 'e (#re likely t# receive a $entence )eared t#*ard treat(ent rather than "uni$h(ent than they *#uld i& the c#urt *a$ )iven n# l#)ical l#cu$. At the $a(e ti(e4 the a""r#ach "re$erve$ (#$t4 i& n#t all4 #& the +'r#ad di$creti#n a&&#rded the . . . c#urt$4,!3: an a""r#ach cha("i#ned 'y le)al $ch#lar$4 %uvenile c#urt %ud)e$4 and la*yer$.!3F There&#re4 the "r#"#$ed addendu( t# the FJDA *#uld read a$ &#ll#*$.
In any cri(inal "r#ceedin) a)ain$t a %uvenile under the "r#vi$i#n$ #& thi$ Act4 a c#urt4 in deter(inin) the len)th and nature #& the c#((it(ent due a %uvenile ad%ud)ed t# 'e delinquent4 $hall "re$u(e that the %uvenile *ill re$"#nd t# reha'ilitative e&&#rt$ ai(ed at treatin) any 'ehavi#ral "r#'le($ includin)4 'ut n#t li(ited t#4 'ehavi#ral "r#'le($ that led t# the %uvenile/$ arre$t. The c#urt $hall al$# *ei)h evidence #& the &#ll#*in) &act#r$4 and &indin)$ *ith re)ard t# each &act#r $hall 'e (ade in the rec#rd. (a the a)e and $#cial 'ack)r#und #& the %uvenile0 (' the nature #& the alle)ed #&&en$e0
(! In c#n$iderin) the nature #& the #&&en$e4 a$ required 'y thi$ "r#vi$i#n4 the c#urt $hall c#n$ider the e6tent t# *hich the %uvenile "layed a leader$hi" r#le in an #r)aniIati#n4 #r #ther*i$e in&luenced #ther "er$#n$ t# take "art in cri(inal activitie$4 inv#lvin) the u$e #r di$tri'uti#n #& c#ntr#lled $u'$tance$ #r &irear($. Such a &act#r4 i& &#und t# e6i$t4 $hall *ei)h a)ain$t a reha'ilitative di$"#$iti#n4 'ut the "re$ence #& thi$ &act#r $hall n#t "reclude $uch a di$"#$iti#n.

(c the e6tent and nature #& the %uvenile/$ "ri#r delinquency rec#rd0 (d the %uvenile/$ "re$ent intellectual devel#"(ent and "$ych#l#)ical (aturity0 (e the nature #& "a$t treat(ent e&&#rt$ and the %uvenile/$ re$"#n$e t# $uch e&&#rt$0 and (& the availa'ility #& "r#)ra($ de$i)ned t# treat the %uvenile/$ 'ehavi#ral "r#'le($. F#r the "ur"#$e$ #& thi$ Act4 +reha'ilitative e&&#rt$, include4 'ut are n#t li(ited t#4 any "r#)ra($4 c#ur$e$ #& treat(ent4 &#$ter h#(e$4 #r c#((unity5'a$ed treat(ent &acilitie$. Reha'ilitative e&&#rt$ d# n#t
!3= !3G !3: !3F

. . . .

1raha)4 !3< S. Ct. at -<-=0 Ro*er4 983 U.S. at 9G!. ; 9<3-. M.R.M.4 9!3 F.3d at :G3. See! e.g.4 SANDB?R74 su*ra n#te 334 at GG5G:4 !<=.

-<662 CRIMINAL C0ILD AND ITS .OTENTIAL FOR C0AN1E

enc#("a$$ "r#)ra($ #r c#ur$e$ #& treat(ent *ithin a detenti#n &acility #r in$tituti#n in *hich the %uvenile ha$ re)ular c#ntact *ith adult "er$#n$ c#nvicted #& a cri(e #r a*aitin) trial #n cri(inal char)e$. !8<

!3F

B. Eill a Statut#ry Pre$u("ti#n in Fav#r #& Reha'ilitati#n Aake a Di&&erenceP The ar)u(ent c#uld 'e (ade that the "re$u("ti#n in &av#r #& reha'ilitati#n *ill $till re$ult in a va$t nu('er #& children 'ein) incarcerated a$ #""#$ed t# treated. The ar)u(ent c#uld al$# 'e (ade that even i& (#re children *ere "r#vided the #"ti#n #& reha'ilitati#n4 there (ay 'e n# r##( t# acc#((#date the$e children due t# a $h#rta)e #& treat(ent &acilitie$. It i$ c#nceiva'le that a "re$u("ti#n in &av#r #& reha'ilitati#n *ill n#t chan)e (uch 'ecau$e it *ill (erely "r#vide %ud)e$ a re&erence "#int &r#( *hich t# 'e)in a $entencin) analy$i$. It d#e$ n#t )uarantee that a child *ill receive the treat(ent $he need$ and4 in the *#r$t5ca$e $cenari#4 (any $tate c#urt$ *ill re(ain &aith&ul t# the "arad#6ical trend in &av#r #& "uni$h(ent $"arked 'y Ro*er.!8! The re$"#n$e t# $uch a critici$( i$. c#n$ider the alternative. Eith n# "re$u("ti#n4 c#urt$ (u$t *ei)h the &act#r$ *ith#ut any )uidin) "rinci"le. The Su"re(e C#urt ha$ ad(#ni$hed $uch an a""r#ach in the c#nte6t #& the %uvenile %u$tice $y$te(4 e6"lainin) that +un'ridled di$creti#n4 h#*ever 'enev#lently (#tivated4 i$ &requently a "##r $u'$titute &#r "rinci"le.,!8An additi#nal re$"#n$e t# critici$( c#ncernin) $l#* #r little chan)e i$ that4 *hile di&&icult4 the 'ene&it$ #& reha'ilitati#n are *#rth the e&&#rt. The )reater the chance children *ill 'e ke"t &r#( incarcerati#n the 'etter4 e$"ecially 'ecau$e it can $#lidi&y the in$tituti#naliIed (entality that children4 *h# already vie* the($elve$ a$ $#(eh#* in&eri#r t# #ther$4 devel#" *hen incarcerated.!83 Chan)in) a "er$#nality i$ n#t an ea$y ta$k 'ut it can certainly 'e achieved4 "r#vided all the "artie$ inv#lved (ake the requi$ite e&&#rt in$tead #& )ivin) u" #n +alternative$ t# incarcerati#n., !88 Thi$ i$ '#rne #ut 'y the &act that the $har"e$t dr#"$ in recidivi$( rate$ #ccur 'y re)i#n0 $tate$ that +a))re$$ively, i("le(ented ne* "r#)ra($ that dein$tituti#naliIed %uvenile #&&ender$ reduced their recidivi$( rate$ 'y a'#ut 9<H.!89 N#t #nly *ill %uvenile #&&ender$ have a )reater chance at
!8< !8!

. !: U.S.C. ; 9<3-. . See Barry C. Feld4 Violent 2outh and .u&lic .olic / A Case Stud o+ -uvenile -ustice La' Re+or)4 GF AINN. C. R?>. F=94 !<F: (!FF9 . !8. In re 1ault4 3:G U.S. at !:. !83 . SAND@U D @?ASC?J4 su*ra n#te ?rr#r. Re&erence $#urce n#t &#und4 at !8<0 see BORTN?R D EICCIAAS4 su*ra n#te 384 at =9 (e6"lainin) that delinquent y#uth$ )enerally c#(e &r#( +di&&icult and de"rived, 'ack)r#und$ and have +e6"erienced the under'elly #& c#nte("#rary $#ciety, . !88 . @OE?CC4 su*ra n#te ?rr#r. Re&erence $#urce n#t &#und4 at !8=. !89 . SAND@U D @?ASC?J4 su*ra n#te =4 at !980 see also R?STORATI>? JUSTIC?4 su*ra n#te =4 at -G< (citin) re$earch #n re5#&&endin) that "#int$ t# +re$t#rative

!8< CRIMINAL AND CIVIL CONFINEMENT 1>#l. 3:.3GF "artici"atin) in n#r(al activitie$4 'ut al$# $#ciety *ill 'e le$$ likely t# 'e 'urdened 'y hardened #&&ender$. S#(e (ay al$# ar)ue that even i& (#re children *ere "r#vided the #"ti#n #& reha'ilitati#n4 there (ay 'e n# r##( t# acc#((#date the$e children due t# a dearth #& treat(ent &acilitie$ #r 'ecau$e +&undin) &#r the$e $ervice$ ha$ n#t 'een &#rthc#(in)., !8= In additi#n4 it ha$ 'een di&&icult t# c#n$truct e&&ective interventi#n "r#)ra($ ai(ed at reha'ilitati#n. !8G @#*ever4 it i$ 'y takin) a &ir(4 de&inite a""r#ach t#*ard$ reha'ilitati#n that increa$e$ the nu('er and quality #& treat(ent &acilitie$ and c#("rehen$ive educati#n "r#)ra($ &#r %uvenile$ *ill 'e achieved. !8: The @#n#ra'le Eillia( J#ne$ #& the N#rth Car#lina Fa(ily C#urt e6"lain$ that %ud)e$ (u$t 'e +adv#cate1$2 &#r needed re$#urce$ and $ervice$, in an e&&#rt t# $ti(ulate4 i& n#t &#rce4 $tate )#vern(ent$ t# $ati$&y the need &#r $uch "r#)ra($.!8F Recently4 the idea #& Seri#u$ and @a'itual Juvenile O&&ender (S@JO "r#)ra($ are catchin) #n and the #""#rtunitie$ they #&&er %uvenile #&&ender$ +&ar #ut*ei)h the )et t#u)h (antra, that i$ chanted all t## #&ten 'y la*(aker$.!9< Ehile (any $tate$ have n#t ad#"ted thi$ "r#active a""r#ach4 $#(e $tate$ $uch a$ Ne* Jer$ey4 have already taken $te"$ t# i("le(ent $tatut#ry "re$u("ti#n$ in &av#r #& reha'ilitati#n. !9! Ne* Jer$ey rec#)niIed that even th#u)h +"uni$h(ent i$ $till a c#n$iderati#n4, a$ it $h#uld 'e4 the %uvenile c#urt$ a""r#ach $entencin) *ith a +"re$u("ti#n #& &indin) a di$"#$iti#n that (eet$ the treat(ent need$ #& the de&endant., !9- In (akin) a $i(ilar a(end(ent t# the FJDA4 C#n)re$$ (ay 'e a'le t# )et the attenti#n #& $tate$ that have n#t heeded the Su"re(e C#urt/$ advice #r &#ll#*ed in Ne* Jer$ey/$ &##t$te"$.!93
%u$tice "r#ce$$e$, #&&erin) (#re "#tential t# +i("act #n #&&ender$ and t# e&&ect chan)e, in #&&ender$/ 'ehavi#r than +c#nventi#nal %u$tice "r#ce$$e$, 0 @OE?CC (ed$. 4 su*ra n#te ?rr#r. Re&erence $#urce n#t &#und4 at !8= (!FF9 (citin) re$earch re"#rtin) that re)i#n$ that adequately i("le(ented diver$e "r#)ra($ a$ re&#r( (ea$ure$ re$ulted in decrea$e$ in recidivi$( #ver ti(e and +c#((unity "r#)ra( y#uth$ thr#u)h#ut 1Aa$$achu$ett$4 a $tate i("le(entin) $uch (ea$ure$2 $h#*ed 'etter attitudinal ad%u$t(ent than did in$tituti#naliIed y#uth$, . !8= . C@?RJC C. AATSON D AACCOCA E. LC?IN4 R?SPONDIN7 TO TROUBC?D JOUT@ 3< (!FFG . !8G . Jer#(e R. Price4 #irthing Out Delin5uents/ Alternative Treat)ent O*tions For -uvenile Delin5uents4 8 CRIA. C. BRI?F 9!4 93 (-<<F . !8: . See SANDB?R74 su*ra n#te 334 at :!. !8F . Id. !9< . Price4 su*ra n#te ?rr#r. Re&erence $#urce n#t &#und4 at 93. !9! . LUPC@IL4 su*ra n#te 8-4 at !-< (+The %uvenile c#urt/$ $tatut#ry (andate require$ that de&endant$ are evaluated *ith an eye t#*ard *hether #r n#t they can 'e treated thr#u)h educati#n #r c#un$elin)., . !9. Id. !93 . See id.

-<662 CRIMINAL C0ILD AND ITS .OTENTIAL FOR C0AN1E >I. CONCCUSION

!8!

Ehether re&erred t# a$ a $el&5&ul&illin) "r#"hecy #r &uncti#nali$(4 the "hen#(en#n *here'y a child/$ ulti(ate i(a)e #& her$el& i$ dictated al(#$t c#("letely 'y the *ay #ther$ treat her i$ a $i)ni&icant "r#ce$$ in the devel#"(ent #& an adult "er$#nality. !98 It i$ ir#nic that a""arently aut#n#(#u$ hu(an 'ein)$ inevita'ly tread the "ath$ they think they $h#uld take 'a$ed #n the &uture #ther$ lay #ut &#r the(. Jet4 thi$ i$ e6actly *hat ha""en$ *hen a child )et$ arre$ted &#r the &ir$t ti(e. She i$ already #n her *ay t# $eein) her$el& a$ a cri(inal and i$ livin) u" t# the la'el. It i$ i("erative that c#urt$ $te" in and di$"r#ve t# the$e children the n#ti#n that they *ill 'e treated a$ cri(inal$4 a$ (#$t #& the( have 'een until a""earin) in c#urt.!99 O& c#ur$e4 a c#urt cann#t 'e e6"ected t# "r#vide children *h# c#((it cri(e$ *ith the nurturin) envir#n(ent the (a%#rity #& the( have 'een denied4 'ut it can try. Indeed4 c#urt$ have a re$"#n$i'ility t# try4 e$"ecially )iven that children are $till devel#"in) and are likely t# re$"#nd t# treat(ent that teache$ the( they are de$ervin) #& an +#""#rtunity t# "artici"ate in (eanin)&ul . . . activitie$,!9= in$tead #& cri(e$. Rec#)niIin) the i("#rtance #& thi$ a'ility i$ #ne #& the "ri(ary rea$#n$ %uvenile$ are tried $e"arately. !9G Further4 *hen $tate$ "ur$ue reha'ilitati#n a$ #""#$ed t# incarcerati#n4 the re$ult$ $ee( t# "r#vide a (uch (#re h#"e&ul "icture &#r '#th the "u'lic and the children *h# la$h #ut a)ain$t it. !9: Thu$4 *hile the c#urt$ have the re$"#n$i'ility t# try t# reha'ilitate children4 they can #nly d# $# t# the de)ree $tatute$ all#* the(. A &ederal $tatut#ry "re$u("ti#n in &av#r #& reha'ilitati#n *ill $end a &ir( (e$$a)e t# la*(aker$ acr#$$ the nati#n that *hile the le)i$lature and c#urt$ are certainly "re"ared t# "r#tect the "u'lic4 they *ill al*ay$ a$$u(e children *h# enter the $y$te( *ill re$"#nd t# "#$itive treat(ent. It i$ a "re$u("ti#n that *ill h#"e&ully cau$e children *h# c#((it cri(e$ t# receive under$tandin) a$ #""#$ed t# cen$ure. Federali$( n#t*ith$tandin)4 enactin) an e6"re$$ "re$u("ti#n #n the &ederal level (ay de(#n$trate that the *el&are #& children *h# c#((it cri(e$ i$ an i$$ue #& nati#nal4 rather than re)i#nal4 i("#rtance. Thi$4 in turn4 (ay in&luence the $tate$ t# &#ll#*
!98 !99

. See CO7NITI>? ARC@IT?CTUR?4 su*ra n#te 84 at 9=8. . See BORTN?R D EICCIAAS4 su*ra n#te ?rr#r. Re&erence $#urce n#t &#und 4 at =:. !9= . Id. !9G . See Janet ?. Ain$*#rth4 Re7I)agining Childhood and Reconstructing the Legal Order/ The Case +or A&olishing the -uvenile Court 4 =F N.C. C. R?>. !<:34 !<F:5 FF (!FF! (+The hall(ark #& the 1%uvenile c#urt2 $y$te( *a$ it$ di$"#$iti#n4 individually tail#red t# addre$$ the need$ and a'ilitie$ #& the %uvenile in que$ti#n. T# that end4 %ud)e$ *ere )iven al(#$t li(itle$$ di$creti#n in cra&tin) the di$"#$iti#n t# &acilitate *hatever the %ud)e th#u)ht *#uld Qcure/ the y#uth., . !9: . See! e.g.4 SAND@U D @?ASC?J4 su*ra n#te =4 at !98.

!8CRIMINAL AND CIVIL CONFINEMENT 1>#l. 3:.3GF in C#n)re$$/ and Ne* Jer$ey/$ !9F &##t$te"$4 a re$ult *hich *#uld rever$e the "arad#6ical and a))re$$ive "uni$h(ent5'a$ed trend$ that Su"re(e C#urt deci$i#n$ in the la$t &#rty year$ have $"arked. !=< I& thi$ (ean$ in%ectin) a $i("le "re$u("tive ele(ent int# the di$"#$iti#n #& %uvenile $entence$ that )ive$ children *h# have c#((itted cri(e$ a chance at rede("ti#n4 then thi$ (u$t 'e d#ne.

!9F !=<

. LUPC@IL4 su*ra n#te 8-. . Park4 su*ra n#te 8G4 at GF=5FG0 see Feld4 su*ra n#te ?rr#r. Re&erence $#urce n#t &#und4 at !<F:.