in juvinile detention how old are the youngest children are they 14 or younger?

Question

In my criminal justice class my text book siad that most states have 14 as the age of criminal responsibility,and that most range from 14-17[or older if the age in that state could be more than 18 like 19 or 21] or are there younger children?If there are younger children are they seperated from the older teen agers?Only those of you who have been there or work tthere anser.

I watched juves on Mtv.

Answer 1

The youngest juvenile I've ever seen at Juvenile Hall (or "The Hall" as it's called.) is twelve years old.

In California, 26 PC states in part:
26. All persons are capable of committing crimes except those
belonging to the following classes:
One--Children under the age of 14, in the absence of clear proof
that at the time of committing the act charged against them, they
knew its wrongfulness.

We as peace officers adminster a 26 PC test if the juvenile is under 12, to determine if the juvenile knows the difference between right and wrong. There is usually some level of segregation between older and younger inmates, but it depends alot on the facility. Also, juvenile warrants can be served after the inmate turns 18, and they are still housed at juvenile hall in a special unit.

Answer 2

Usually 13 or 14 are the youngest. Sometimes it depends on the offense.

We have had 12 year-old murderers!

The general problem with age and Juveniles, you need to know that you are committing a crime and you need to be able to understand the consequences!

Usually you are just beginning to get out of the Concrete thinking stage at 12 or 13. That is generally why they do not do reasoning things like algebra!

Answer 3

Your book is pretty much on target, 14 years old is still the normal consideration for detaining juveniles within our state facilities. In extreme situations, I have seen one 11 year old and one 12 year old detained, but both of those were more for the safety and security of the child rather than a punishment until they could be placed in a secure, structured setting away from their last location or the place of incident.
* Yes, they were kept in secure rooms closer to our administration areas and off of the main units to ensure privacy, avoid embarrassment, and maintain their mental stability. Actually, I think one never made it to a room, we just talked, had snacks, and drew pictures together to pass the time (about three hours).

Our laws state we can keep juveniles detained within our detention units (your basic jail setting) until they are 18 years old and within our treatment facilities, which have programs running from 9 - 24 months, until they are19 years old.

Answer 4

If there are younger children they are referred to the social services who takes care of them or who gives them to foster parents.