Comparing and delivering juvenile justice across the world

Abstract

There are both assumptions and evidence that undergird the official response to juvenile delinquency in different countries. The similarities and differences among these approaches are evaluated to assess their contribution to fairness, justice, crime control, and delinquency prevention. A brief historical review of the recognition of childhood innocence is followed by the nature of formal procedures for handling juvenile offenders, and specific governmental and multilateral responses to juvenile delinquency that form the basis for greater consistency in dealing with juveniles in the justice process.