As we now wrap up the main substantive part of the course, in effect we are ending at the beginning. As we discussed periodically through the semester, unfortunately in the real world there are people who are beyond reclamation. Just as your experiences with the police go a long way towards determining your attitudes about the police, the first encounter one has with the criminal law system will go a long way towards determining what their future will hold. As you research you will realize that juveniles are treated differently in many respects

from adults when they are brought into the criminal law system.

QUESTION(1) Is that a positive or negative thing? Does it make a difference what kind of crime the juvenile committed? Justify and explain

your response.

Many juvenile offenses are adjudicated in Family courts, which in theory, operate in the best interests of the child. That notion derives

from the Parens Patriae doctrine, which says the State has the power to act on behalf of the child, and provide care and protection

equivalent to that of a parent.This Parens Patriae doctrine stands in direct contrast to the increasing use of “waiver” in taking juvenile

crimes out of the Family court and into the adult criminal system. Do you think this “waiver” doctrine is a good thing? Put another way,

QUESTION(2) should juvenile courts be abolished and all criminals, regardless of age, be dealt with in adult criminal courts? Justify your

answer.

QUESTION(3) After reading ALL of the articles, do you think the approach of Maryland Juvenile Judge Dawson is the best way to deal with

juvenile offenders? Explain your answer.

Answer the three questions above based on your research and analysis. Be sure to include a complete introduction and conclusion paragraph.

Be sure to identify and/or cite any articles you reference.