While the 80s and 90s saw those involved in law enforcement being tough on juvenile offenders, the reverse has happened in the last decade. Instead of being tried as an adult, more juveniles in Illinois in the past decade have been tried in juvenile court, which could...
Juvenile Crimes
The police should not be allowed to lie to juvenile suspects
When a juvenile is arrested in Illinois, the whole experience can be quite scary and confusing. They are typically read their Miranda rights, but after that, anything goes. Unfortunately, this often includes the police lying to the juvenile. This is why it's important...
Has Illinois changed its juvenile interrogation policies?
A significant change now takes place in the Illinois criminal justice system. The long and troubling practice of police officers being allowed to lie to juveniles during an interrogation comes to an end. Young persons and adults alike sometimes incriminate themselves...
Alleged middle-school assaulter charged in juvenile court
The Illinois juvenile who reportedly severely beat a fellow middle-school student has been charged in juvenile court. The attack reportedly happened on Feb. 3 at a middle school that is located in South Elgin. The juvenile who has been charged appeared in court on...
Sexting and the potential for criminal prosecution
Sexting involves transmitting photographs or sending suggestive statements via text messaging or social media usually using cell phones. While doing so is generally not illegal, it is under Illinois child pornography law when the images involve depictions of minors....
Emotional needs often motivate drug use in teens
Like their counterparts across the country, Illinois teenagers might turn to drugs or alcohol to soothe unpleasant feelings and cultivate a social life. The Partnership for Drug-Free Kids warns parents that drug and alcohol use by teens arises for many reasons, and...
The questioning of minors by law enforcement officers
Most Illinois residents will likely be familiar with the Miranda warning. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Miranda v. Arizona that police must advise individuals that they have the right to remain silent and speak with an attorney when they are taken into custody, and...
Community programs for juveniles show success rates
Illinois residents may be interested to find out that a study by the Pew Charitable Trusts has found that juveniles who participate in community-based programs rather than being placed in residential facilities after committing a crime may be less likely to reoffend....
Juvenile offenses in Illinois
Whether a person will be charged as a juvenile or an adult depends both on the crime with which they are charged as well as their age at the time the offense was allegedly committed. For misdemeanor offenses, people will be charged as juveniles if they are 17 years...
The juvenile justice system in Illinois
In the state of Illinois, a person under the age of 16 is considered a juvenile. In addition to an upper age limit, the juvenile justice system also sets a lower age limit. In most jurisdictions, the lower age is set at six or seven. This is because young children are...