Page 38 - Juvenile Practice is not Child's Play

6. Gender
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The rate of girls in the justice system has declined in line with the rate of boys. However, female interactions in
37
the justice system are often linked to specialized issues such as sex-trafficking and sexual abuse. Some counties
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have instituted courts specifically for these charges. Make sure to familiarize yourself with those specialty courts.
If your client is a female, be aware that many females in the juvenile justice system are also mothers, and that there

are other issues you should consider, such as childcare for their children, custody, etc.

7. Client Problems
Any kind of individual or family problem can be relevant to your client’s case. Try to be open and creative when
doing your research so that you appropriately use any factor in your client’s complicated life to the advantage of
their case. If you can address any of these problems through the disposition of the case, that will ultimately benefit
your client, their family, and society at large.

Find out special problems that may be present in your client’s situation: abuse at home; problems at school, either
developmental or social; mental health illness; medical condition; etc.
• School Performance and Behavior
o Academic failure;

o Special education;
o Attendance problems; and
o Suspensions and/ or expulsions
• Family Problems

o Lack of parental supervision and/ or control;
o Child abuse and neglect;
o Sexual abuse;

o Financial situation and poverty;
o Family members with mental and/ or medical conditions, substance abuse, criminal records, etc.;
and
o Violence and/ or relational problems between parents and/ or other family members.

• Delinquency Factors
o Use of or experimentation with illegal drugs;
o Delinquent or criminal peers and/or family members;

o Gang involvement; and
o Medical and/ or mental conditions

36 https://ojjdp.ojp.gov/sites/g/files/xyckuh176/files/pubs/251486.pdf
37 https://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/09/us/girls-in-juvenile-facilities-often-abused-report-says.html
38 https://hcjpd.harriscountytx.gov/Pages/Programs.aspx