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Juvenile Justice
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Juvenile Justice
A Guide to Theory, Policy, and Practice

11th Edition
Available with:
Learning platform
January 2027 | 552 pages | SAGE Publications, Inc
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Juvenile Justice: A Guide to Theory, Policy, and Practice offers a dynamic, up-to-date introduction to the juvenile justice system. Blending foundational theory with real-world application, it explores key topics like rehabilitation, community-based sanctions, gangs, and global youth crime. The engaging Eleventh Edition by Steven M. Cox, Jennifer M. Allen, Robert D. Hanser, and John J. Conrad is grounded in evidence-based practices and brings concepts to life through compelling examples and interactive learning tools.

Sage Vantage Learning Platform
This text is offered in Sage Vantage, an intuitive learning platform that integrates quality Sage textbook content with assignable multimedia activities and auto-graded assessments to drive student engagement and ensure accountability. Unparalleled in its ease of use and built for dynamic teaching and learning, Vantage offers customizable LMS integration and best-in-class support.

Highlights
  • Assignable video with assessment tied to learning objectives and curated exclusively for this text brings concepts to life. Watch a sample video now.
  • NEW! An AI Literacy module prepares students to engage confidently with today's AI tools through an interactive, outcomes-focused experience—with minimal instructor lift and no course redesign required. Available exclusively in Sage Vantage and written by professors who teach and publish about AI, the AI Information Literacy, Academic Integrity, and Responsible AI Use integrates video, data driven examples, applied activities, Knowledge Checks, and built-in assessments that help instructors track student understanding. Focused on strengthening critical thinking, the module teaches students how to evaluate AI outputs for accuracy and bias while developing responsible prompting strategies that support academic success without compromising students' intellectual growth.
 
Preface
 
Acknowledgments
 
Chapter 1: Juvenile Justice In Historical Perspective
What Would You Do?

 
Juvenile Justice Historically

 
Due Process And The Juvenile Justice System

 
Continuing Dilemmas in Juvenile Justice

 
Rethinking Juvenile Justice

 
Key Terms

 
Critical Thinking Questions

 
Suggested Readings

 
 
Chapter 2: Characteristics, Definitions, and Measurement of Juvenile Offenders and Offenses
Delinquency Profiles

 
Defining Offenses Committed by and Against Juveniles

 
Official Delinquency Statistics

 
Summary

 
Key Terms

 
Critical Thinking Questions

 
Suggested Readings

 
References

 
 
Chapter 3: Child Abuse And Neglect
What Would You Do?

 
Domestic or Family Violence

 
Child Maltreatment

 
Types of Abuse and Neglect

 
Internet Exploitation

 
Internet Intervention

 
Summary

 
Key Terms

 
Critical Thinking Questions

 
Suggested Readings

 
 
Chapter 4: Schools and Delinquency
What Would You Do?

 
Protective Factors in School Environments

 
Risk Factors in School Environments

 
School Safety

 
Truancy

 
School Programs to Prevent or Divert Youth From Delinquency

 
Summary

 
Key Terms

 
Critical Thinking Questions

 
References

 
 
Chapter 5: Theories of Causation
Scientific Theory

 
Some Early Theories

 
Biological Theories

 
Biosocial/Neurological Theory

 
Prenatal and Neonatal Development and Delinquency

 
Psychological Theories

 
Sociological Theories

 
Integrated Theories

 
Summary

 
Key Terms

 
Critical Thinking Questions

 
Suggested Readings

 
References

 
 
Chapter 6: Juveniles and the Police
Police Discretion in Encounters With Juveniles

 
Police Procedures

 
Official Procedures

 
Training and Competence of Juvenile Officers

 
Police–School Resource Officer and Liaison Programs

 
Community-Oriented Policing and Juveniles

 
Summary

 
Key Terms

 
Critical Thinking Questions

 
Suggested Readings

 
 
Chapter 7: The Purpose And Scope of Juvenile Courts
What Would You Do?

 
Purpose

 
Comparison of Adult Criminal Justice And Juvenile Justice Systems

 
How The Juvenile Court Accomplishes The Purpose

 
Concepts Included In The Scope of Juvenile Court Acts

 
Key Terms

 
Critical Thinking Questions

 
Suggested Readings

 
 
Chapter 8: Juvenile Justice Procedures
What Would You Do?

 
Rights of Juveniles at Various Stages in Juvenile Court

 
Custodial Proceedings

 
Juvenile Court Proceedings

 
Summary

 
Key Terms

 
Critical Thinking Questions

 
Suggested Readings

 
 
Chapter 9: Key Figures In Juvenile Court Proceedings
What Would You Do?

 
Roles of The Prosecutor And Defense Counsel

 
Judges And Probation Officers in Juvenile Court

 
Role of Children And Family Services Personnel, Victim Advocates, And Court Appointed Special Advocates in Juvenile Court

 
Training And Competence of Juvenile Court Personnel

 
Summary

 
Key Terms

 
Critical Thinking Questions

 
Suggested Readings

 
 
Chapter 10: Prevention and Diversion Programs
What Would You Do?

 
Prevention and Diversion

 
Diversion Programs

 
Examples of Prevention and Diversion Programs

 
Some Criticisms

 
Summary

 
Key Terms

 
Critical Thinking Questions

 
Suggested Readings

 
 
Chapter 11: Treatment Programming and Trauma-Informed Care With Juvenile Offenders
Mental Health Needs of Juvenile Offenders

 
Family-of-Origin Issues

 
Therapeutic Courts

 
Types of Treatment Modalities

 
Trauma-Informed Care

 
Sexuality, Sex Counseling, and Juvenile Sex Offender Treatment

 
Summary

 
Key Terms

 
Critical Thinking Questions

 
Suggested Readings

 
References

 
 
Chapter 12: Dispositional Alternatives
What Would You Do?

 
Dispositional Alternatives

 
Juvenile Correctional Institutions—Challenges and Consequences

 
Capital Punishment and Youthful Offenders

 
Possible Solutions

 
Key Terms

 
Critical Thinking Questions

 
Suggested Readings

 
 
Chapter 13: Violent Juveniles and Gangs
Juvenile Violence and Juvenile Homicide

 
Juvenile Firearm Offenses

 
Gangs

 
Theoretical Perspectives on Gang Development

 
Gang Membership

 
Response of Justice Network to Gangs

 
Summary

 
Key Terms

 
Critical Thinking Questions

 
Suggested Readings

 
References

 
 
Chapter 14: Global Issues in Juvenile Justice
What Would You Do?

 
Age of Responsibility

 
The Basics of Juvenile Justice Around the Globe

 
Problems With Delinquency in the Global Community

 
Characteristics of Juvenile Delinquents Around the World

 
Juveniles as Victims of Crime

 
International Administration of Juvenile Justice

 
Use of Restorative Justice with Youths Experiencing the Justice System Around the World

 
Summary

 
Key Terms

 
Critical Thinking Questions

 
Suggested Readings

 
 
Chapter 15: The Future of Juvenile Justice
What Would You Do?

 
Possibilities for the Future of Juvenile Justice

 
Utilizing and Addressing Advances in Technology

 
Barriers to Change in Juvenile Justice

 
Private Juvenile Detention Facilities

 
Improvements to the Juvenile Justice System

 
Summary

 
Key Terms

 
Critical Thinking Questions

 
Suggested Readings

 
 
Glossary
 
References
 
About the Authors
 
Index
Key features
NEW TO THIS EDITION:
  • The new edition is available in Sage Vantage, an intuitive learning platform that integrates quality Sage textbook content with assignable multimedia activities and auto-graded assessments to drive student engagement and ensure accountability. Unparalleled in its ease of use and built for dynamic teaching and learning, Vantage offers customizable LMS integration and best-in-class support.
    • NEW! An AI Literacy module prepares students to engage confidently with today's AI tools through an interactive, outcomes-focused experience—with minimal instructor lift and no course redesign required. Available exclusively in Sage Vantage and written by professors who teach and publish about AI, the AI Information Literacy, Academic Integrity, and Responsible AI Use module integrates video, data driven examples, applied activities, Knowledge Checks, and built-in assessments that help instructors track student understanding. Focused on strengthening critical thinking, the module teaches students how to evaluate AI outputs for accuracy and bias while developing responsible prompting strategies that support academic success without compromising students' intellectual growth.
  • Seven new What Would You Do? scenarios.
  • New legislation and court rulings related to juveniles are covered along with coverage of current concerns and recent trends in juvenile justice.
  • Expanded coverage of critical topics in juvenile justice such as the school-to-prison pipeline, drug use, firearm homicide, social media usage, solitary confinement, bullying, cyberbullying, specialty courts, restorative justice programs, emerging adults, trauma-informed care, positive youth development, truancy, and LGBTQ+ youth appear throughout the text.
KEY FEATURES:
  • In Practice boxes link research to practice and help students see the practical application of what they are reading.
  • Career Opportunity boxes identify the skills and education needed for a range of potential juvenile justice careers that students can explore.
  • Built-in learning aids, including chapter learning objectives, summaries, key terms lists, and critical thinking exercises, provide essential support for student learning.
  • What Would You Do? scenarios introduce students to the chapter content by getting them into the mind-set of a practitioner.
  • Critical Thinking Questions appear at the end of boxed features to help students make the connection between the material presented and the issues they might encounter as a practitioner.
Vantage Reference: 
Juvenile Justice - Vantage Learning Platform