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Youth Justice in America
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Youth Justice in America

Second Edition


August 2014 | 368 pages | CQ Press

Young people are fascinated by juvenile crime and justice topics because they are exposed to these subjects daily through the media, school security, and other everyday experiences. Tapping this interest, Youth Justice in America, Second Edition directly engages the broadest range of students in an exciting and informed discussion of the U.S. juvenile justice system. Written in a straightforward style that will appeal to all students, from high risk groups to AP and law and society classes, the authors combine thoughtful commentary with selections from actual federal and state constitutional criminal law cases to explore issues of juvenile justice. They address tough, important issues that directly affect today's young people, including: How should we balance liberty with the need for an ordered society? How do we enforce order while maintaining constitutional rights? Should we treat juveniles differently than adult offenders? Focusing on cases that relate to the Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, and Eighth Amendments to the U.S. Constitution, the subject matter comes alive through a unique blend of content, including: selections from key cases that affect students; easy-to-read definitions of important terms and concepts; sidebar features; engaging photos; individual and class exercises; and age-appropriate sources for further reading. Following in the footsteps of CQ Press's acclaimed We the Students, Youth Justice in America fills a pressing need to make legal issues personally meaningful to young people. The second edition features new cases dealing with strip searches at school, life sentences without parole for juveniles, electronic surveillance, and examples drawn from recent events in the popular culture. The book’s freshly updated design facilitates student comprehension with new features such as legal definitions in the margin, a “Dissenting Voices” section to provide context for minority judicial opinions, new exercises, and much more.

 
Chapter 1: American Society, Crime, and the Constitution
The Constitution and Crime

 
“We the People” and the War on Drugs: Politicians and Their Families, Athletes, Entertainers

 
Criminal Justice: Not the End of the Story

 
The American System of Juvenile Justice

 
 
Chapter 2: What Is Crime?
Constitutional Limits on Government’s Power to Make Crimes

 
The Structure of Criminal Laws

 
 
Chapter 3: The Second Amendment, Youth, and Schools
The Second Amendment and Young People

 
The Second Amendment and Schools

 
 
Chapter 4: Fourth Amendment: Protection from Unreasonable Searches and Seizures
The Right to Be Left Alone

 
The Exclusionary Rule

 
Reasonable Expectation of Privacy

 
Fourth Amendment Search

 
Other Expectations of Privacy

 
What Is a Seizure?

 
Probable Cause and the Warrant Requirement

 
 
Chapter 5: Exceptions Swallow the Rule: Warrantless Searches
Exception 1: Emergency Circumstances

 
Exception 2: Plain View

 
Exception 3: Search Incident to an Arrest

 
Exception 4: Automobile Exception

 
Exception 5: Consensual Searches

 
Exception 6: Stop and Frisk

 
Exclusionary Rule Review

 
 
Chapter 6: School Searches
Search of Belongings

 
Drug Testing and After-School Activities

 
Drug Testing for All Students?

 
Strip Searches

 
Metal Detectors and the Constitution

 
 
Chapter 7: Fifth Amendment: Privilege against Self-Incrimination
The Screaming Eagle

 
Protections against Self-Incrimination

 
Juveniles and the Miranda Warnings

 
What Is Custody?

 
Pull Over, Jack

 
What Is Interrogation?

 
The Dangers of False Confession

 
 
Chapter 8: Sixth Amendment: Right to Counsel
The Right to Legal Counsel

 
Role of Legal Counsel

 
Role of the Defense

 
Right to Counsel for Juveniles

 
Right to Effective Counsel

 
Reality of Ineffective Counsel

 
A Quick Career Quiz

 
 
Chapter 9: Cruel and Unusual Punishment
The Death Penalty Today

 
The Death Penalty and Juveniles

 
Turning Over a New Leaf?

 
Juveniles and Life Imprisonment Without Parole

 
 
Chapter 10: The Future of Youth Justice
The Goals of Criminal Punishment

 
Record Prison Populations

 
The Racial Dynamics of the Criminal Justice System

 
Felon and Ex-Felon Disenfranchisement

 
Gendered Offenders

 
Life in Prison without Parole

 

For instructors

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