Media Smarts
Perceptions of Youth and Crime
Explore the potential for bias in the news and in scholars' own attitudes and opinions. Begin with a quiz on youth crime to see how learners perceive crime among their peers. After looking at the correct answers, put individuals in...
Constitutional Rights Foundation
Criminal Justice in America
The allure of true crime television shows often leads to intrigue of the criminal justice system. Using a six-unit curriculum, learners explore criminology and the justice system in the United States. Topics include the police, trial...
Deliberating in a Democracy
Youth Curfews
Don't stay out too late! Scholars analyze the need for youth curfews in a democratic society. They examine primary documents, case studies, and short video clips to form their opinions and take a position on the issue. Holding a class...
Deliberating in a Democracy
Juvenile Justice
Pupils compare and contrast the legal system as it pertains to juvenile and adult crime and punishment. Incorporating primary documents, legal decisions, and video evidence, individuals form an argument debating the treatment of...
Teaching Civics
Legal Ways: Extended Jurisdiction Juvenile
An amazing set of resources! Found here are several lessons that work in conjunction to help learners better understand the juvenile court system. Learners review the judicial process, discuss how juveniles are tried, and hold a class...
Utah State Courts
Judges in the Classroom
Class members explore the process of a disposition hearing for juveniles, particularly looking at how the judge decides what sentence the juvenile offender should receive. Task your pupils with evaluating different sample cases provided...
Curated OER
Juvenile Crime in America: What Do We Value
Students investigate the statistical data provided in the Juvenile Offenders and Victims National Report. Students work in groups to create a story around a juvenile crime using the perspective of the juvenile offender, and another in...
Curated OER
The Devil Made Me Do It
Students complete a webquest about the effects of juvenile crime. They develop a plan for a city to help reduce crime.
Curated OER
Allen's Dilemma
Students read, discuss and act out an actual case study dealing with a juvenile crime. They complete discussion questions associated with case study.
Curated OER
Juvenile Justice - Consequences Of Offenses To Offenders, Victims, And Community
Students discuss consequences for four common juvenile crimes. Students explore legal, social, economic, community and physical consequences for illegal behavior.
PBS
Pbs: Frontline: Juvenile Justice
Read case profiles of several juvenile criminals, many who have been tried as adults. Includes personal background information on each individual, and a discussion of their sentencing.
Virginia Tech
Alan Review: Course Correction
Janet Bode wrote this article discussing why she writes, for whom she's writing, and the importance of non-fiction literature for young adults.
Other
Teen Ink: Opinion: Teens Should Absolutely Be Tried as Adults for Adult Crimes
In this opinion piece, the teen author makes the case for minors who commit adult crimes to be tried as adults.
Other
Madison: News: Stepbrother Criminal Abuser, if Not an Adult Criminal
Learn about the case of a teenager accused of sexually assaulting his stepsister, and the debate about his trial as an adult criminal three years after the crime, at the age of 20.
CNN
Cnn: Opinion: Kids Should Never Be Tried as Adults
In this editorial, the author outlines the case for why minors who commit crimes should not be tried as adults. Includes examples, including that of a 9 year old tried in the adult justice system.
British Library
British Library: Discovering Literature: Romantics & Victorians Childhood
These articles research how childhood was depicted in the literature of the 18th and 19th century, and how perceptions of childhood were different from those of today.