For this assessment, you will create a report on a juvenile’s case to share with the juvenile court, school authorities, community service providers, and the police department. The purpose of the report is to build awareness on the underlying causes for juvenile delinquent behavior and highlight the challenges faced by the police in handling juveniles. The report will include a review of social causation theories that best explain the juvenile’s behavior, the processing of juvenile delinquents by police, ways to deter future offending, and police-based interventions. 

Scenario

You are a juvenile justice professional who has been tasked with evaluating 15-year-old Philip's case. Philip grew up in a tough, lower-socioeconomic neighborhood that was characterized by several cultures and high mobility. He never felt close to his parents, and he did not perform well in school. He valued such things as his fighting ability and his ability to con people. When he was 10 years old, he began to associate with delinquent peers who taught him how to steal cars and burglarize houses. He received rewards from his peers for his behavior and did not feel guilty for his delinquent acts. Instead, he would say that the people he stole from were wealthy enough to afford to replace the items, and most had insurance anyway.

Philip has been arrested for house burglary. He shows no sign of remorse for what he has done and is being disrespectful to the police officers. His parents are not cooperating with the police and the intake officer refuses to take Philip in, as there is a space crunch in the holding facility. The police let Philip go after giving him a warning. This is Philip’s first time in the juvenile justice system.

Assessment Preparation

Read the following literature reviews from the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) on problems faced by the police in handling juveniles:

• “Community-Oriented Policing and Problem-Oriented Policing”
• “Interactions Between Youth and Law Enforcement”

Assessment Deliverable

Write a 700- to 875-word report to the juvenile court, school authorities, community service providers, and the police department. Address the following in your report: 

• Identify a social theory that is most applicable to explain Philip’s behavior.
• Describe the deterrence theory and explain how it is applicable in this situation.
• Distinguish this crime as a status offense or a delinquent act.
• Describe some procedures and safeguards that the police should follow when processing Philip's case. 
• Determine which discretionary considerations the police should employ in this scenario.
• Identify who must be informed of the seriousness of the charges once Philip is taken into custody.
• Discuss police-based intervention programs that could help Philip deal with his delinquent behavior.

Cite at least 2 peer-reviewed, scholarly, or similar references and format your citations and references according to APA guidelines.

Submit your assessment.