History of Juvenile Justice Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

History of Juvenile Justice - Essay Example Several factors facilitated the passage of the 1899 Illinois Juvenile Court Act and they are the child saver movement and the creation of children’s tribunals (Martin 43; Siegel). The child saver movement refers to the acts of wealthy person who donated money for others to create informal networks of social service agencies that helped needy children. These networks opposed jailing delinquent or runaway children and put them in refuge houses instead (Siegel). They taught children remedial skills, so that they could work and earn money in legitimate ways (Siegel). These houses, however, received criticism for their harsh disciplinary rules and methods (Siegel). Though they had these weaknesses, the movement increased support for treating children differently when they have conducted different kinds of crimes (Siegel). Another factor that resulted to the passage of the 1899 law is the development of children’s tribunals (Martin 43). In 1874, Massachusetts passed legislati on that required separate court hearings for children, called children’s tribunals (Martin 43). In 1877, New York passed legislation that separated adult and juvenile offenders (Martin 43). These laws became the forerunners of the 1899 Illinois Juvenile Court Act. The purpose of the 1899 Illinois Juvenile Court Act is to establish a formal juvenile court system that reflected the parens patriae doctrine (Siegel). The parens patriae doctrine asserts that the state must take care of the country’s children.