Legal Issues

Juvenile crime and recidivism have over the years remained critical issues in the society due to their negative implications to the youths and the community.   Unlike other crimes, juvenile related crime and recidivism have been cited to have more negative implications because youths are considered to be critical elements for defining a States future orientation.  In their view, Hess and Hess (2009) indicate that failure to address juvenile crime effectively is the biggest mistake that any State can make.  This paper provides an intrinsic analysis of juvenile crime and recidivism in the state of Oregon to establish the related policies and their introduction, its constitutionality and the extended implications to the society.    

Issue description and analysis 
Juvenile crime and recidivism as Josine and Frieder (2009) indicate form some of the most disturbing aspects in the society.  Many youths turn to crime either due to bad peer influence or involvement in drug abuse.   Josine and Frieder (2009) continue to say that youth involvement in crime should be viewed from various angles during policy formulation.  On average, the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention report of 2008 indicates that about 2.11 million youths below the age of eighteen years were arrested in the year 2008 (US Department of Justice, 2010).   Though this indicates a drop of three percent on the previous 2007 levels, the numbers are still very high.  In the state of Oregon, recidivism rates remained at 23 in the year 2008, a consideration that has led to key human rights activists criticizing the efficacy of the current correction system (Larry and Brandon, 2008).  Most of the juvenile crimes are committed during the after school hours (3- 6pm) when most of youths go unsupervised.   Psychological analysts such as Erick Erickson and Albert Bandura concur that the trends are mostly influenced or a result of the inadequate capacity of most young people at the tender age in making the correct decisions that may deter the influence of the peer pressure (Larry and Brandon, 2008).

Juvenile delinquency and recidivism prevention policy 
This is a legislative initiated policy established by the Oregon State government through its Juvenile Crime Prevention Advisory Committee of 1999 (Oregon.gov, 2010).  The program was established following the Oregon State governments realization of large amount of money that it was losing to juvenile crime.  Juvenile delinquency and recidivism prevention policy requires the youths to undergo established programs where they are taught on how to avoid getting involved in crime.  Particularly, the policy emphasizes on the need to address the after- school hours by committing youths to after-school sports program as a key strategy to keep them away from negative peer pressure (Hess and Hess, 2009).

Constitutionality 
Notably, the United States strong values for its future are reflected in the emphasis of juvenile justice in all States.  It is therefore a constitutional issue at the federal level as it is reflected in the Federal Statutes Title 42 and Chapter 72 (Josine and Frieder, 2009).   Though key amendments have taken place, the creation of Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency in 1974 has been very critical in addressing the thorny issue youth delinquency and recidivism.  In the State of Oregon, Sections 5611 to 5617 of the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act has been emphasized in creating local programs to guide youths in avoiding getting involved in crime and engaging in more constructive activities such as sports (Hess and Hess, 2009).

Effects of the issue to the to the community, accused, and the victims 
Analysts have over the recent years sought to establish the major implications that accrue juvenile delinquency and recidivism in the society.  To the community, juvenile delinquency is highly destructive as it disrupts the correct economic and social-political environment (Hess and Hess, 2009).  Criminal activities are highly destructive and at times may lead to loss of lives in violent crimes.  Most of the community members especially in the inner cities have indicated their fears especially during the danger zone (period between 3-6PM) after school period (Larry and Brandon, 2008).

Taking into consideration the fact that the accused often get into conflict with the law, the implications are very extensive.  United States Department of Justice (2010) points out that, most of them are often caught and incarcerated due to the high resilient nature of delinquency.  However, recidivism acts as a major pointer towards stronger addiction by the youths.  Compared to others, youths involved in crime often exhibit poor cognitive and personality development.

According to Hess and Hess (2009), victims of juvenile crime suffer key damages depending on the nature of crime and its magnitude.  Some criminal activities such as rape have long term implications on the victim while in some other violent cases, they may result in to loss of lives.  Larry and Brandon (2008) explain that though implications are indeed very different, they result to a victim are very painful as they count their losses.
Conclusion 
From the above analysis, this paper concludes by supporting the thesis statement, Juvenile crime and recidivism has over the years remained a critical issue in the society due to their negative implications to the youths and the society.  It came out clearly that juvenile delinquency if not addressed effectively, not only threatens the current generations, but equally denies the state and indeed the country a future.  It is therefore very critical that the policy on Juvenile delinquency and recidivism prevention is further strengthened to facilitate a better future for all.