University of Maryland, University College

CCJS 350

In your readings this week, we begin discussing mental health issues,
practices and approaches in addressing delinquency. As we've covered
waivers and age of culpability, this week's readings/discussions should
hopefully provide more insight into how we should address juveniles who
suffer from mental health illnesses, to include trauma, etc.
 In reviewing the readings, you will see that a high number of
adolescents adjudicated suffering from mental disorders, substance abuse
issues and some aspect of trauma. Knowing this, do you feel that the
juvenile justice system/courts does an adequate job in addressing those
areas?
 Understanding that juveniles do suffer from various aspects of
trauma, addiction or mental disorders, how much do you purport that goes
into dispositions (sentencing). Further, if such areas are identified, should
juveniles be then treated differently? Aren't adult offenders who are
deemed mentally disabled (depending on disorder/medication/tx, etc.)
viewed differently in the eyes of the court?
 What is your analysis in how the authors conveyed mental health,
trauma, etc. in reference to juvenile delinquency? Do you purport that even
with some trauma, other aspects contribute to delinquency?