Juvenile Justice

The 10th Edition of Juvenile Justice: An Introduction provides undergraduate students with a fundamental textbook focused on youth offending and system responses. Written by John T. Whitehead and Steven P. Lab, the text outlines core definitions, legal boundaries, and historical developments that shape how delinquency is measured and addressed.

The thematic progression addresses theoretical models of delinquency, examining biological, psychological, and sociological perspectives on adolescent behavior. It expands on specific social issues, analyzing gang participation and drug involvement alongside operational system functions including police tactics, juvenile court proceedings, and due process rights.

Further chapters examine institutional placement options, residential interventions, probation structures, and community corrections alongside prevention strategies and juvenile victimization. This structured approach offers undergraduate courses a balanced examination of theory, system processes, and youth policy.