Journals Information
Sociology and Anthropology Vol. 4(4), pp. 212 - 221
DOI: 10.13189/sa.2016.040403
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Empowering Love and Respect for Child Offenders through Therapeutic Jurisprudence: The Teen Courts Example
Lynne Marie Kohm 1,*, Alison R. Haefner 2
1 John Brown McCarty Professor of Family Law, Regent University School of Law, USA
2 Juris Doctor (JD) Program, Regent University School of Law, USA
ABSTRACT
A fascinating trend is emerging in juvenile justice - teen courts. As peer-based forums appearing in pockets throughout the United States, these specialized courts for child offenders are designed to actively draw the child into his or her own criminal process, allowing 'the law to work as a therapeutic agent.'[1] We posit that the teen court process empowers children with respect from peers, family and community because of the therapeutic manner of administering justice on behalf of the child offender. This process becomes a therapeutic model when children's lives are changed by the beneficial involvement of their peers in their legal process. The experience of participating in their own justice and the justice of their peers seems to create a natural pathway to building a broader sense of personal responsibility, active citizenship, and a generally healthier future.
KEYWORDS
Juvenile Justice, Teen Courts, Personal Responsibility, Active Citizenship, Active Citizenship
Cite This Paper in IEEE or APA Citation Styles
(a). IEEE Format:
[1] Lynne Marie Kohm , Alison R. Haefner , "Empowering Love and Respect for Child Offenders through Therapeutic Jurisprudence: The Teen Courts Example," Sociology and Anthropology, Vol. 4, No. 4, pp. 212 - 221, 2016. DOI: 10.13189/sa.2016.040403.
(b). APA Format:
Lynne Marie Kohm , Alison R. Haefner (2016). Empowering Love and Respect for Child Offenders through Therapeutic Jurisprudence: The Teen Courts Example. Sociology and Anthropology, 4(4), 212 - 221. DOI: 10.13189/sa.2016.040403.