Specialized Courts

Words: 1810
Pages: 8

Offenders are tried, a judge presides, and a jury deliberates and decides upon a verdict…this is the classic model, but it is also largely based only upon traditional criminal trials. However, in recent years, there has been a radical shift within the court system, and what has evolved is the specialized, or problem-solving, courts that were created to address items that are not necessarily suitable for criminal courts. The problem-solving courts deal with issues ranging from domestic violence to drug use and juvenile justice, and sevey as recidivism rates in general remain so high. In plain terms, this is problem-solving aimed at uncovering improved means of preventing crime through a deeper sense of the underlying causes of it. All the above being the case, the following then explores the guiding principles of the system, the types of problem-solving courts, examines how they operate, and determines the realities and potentials of their success. Specialized courts are a major part of the judicial process, and this paper will describe their functions and roles within the American judicial system. Before there may be a clear understanding of the types of specialized courts and their methods of function, it …show more content…
Some critics charge that modern juvenile courts proceed as those in the past did, and as nothing more than a second-class justice system. It is felt that, if the courts acknowledge that the circumstances of juvenile crime are inherently different than those of adult crime, the system still fails to respond in a meaningful way. Nonetheless, there remains a fixed conflict in American society, which in turn is reflected in how the juvenile courts decide. Some insist that punishment is the answer, while others hold that education and reform are what is necessary. Again, the idea that young people, and particularly children, are not responsible for their actions seems to be ingrained in American