The Evolution of the Juvenile Court: Race, Politics, and the Criminalizing of Juvenile Justice

by Barry C Feld

From one of America’s leading experts, an analysis of the history of the nation’s juvenile justice system and a look at the future. The juvenile court lies at the intersection of youth policy and crime policy, and reflects our changing ideas about children and crime control throughout history. In The Evolution of the Juvenile Court, noted law professor and criminologist Barry C. Feldprovides a sweeping overview of the American juvenile justice system’s development and change over the past century. Feld traces the juvenile court’s evolution though its four periods―the Progressive Era, the Due Process Revolution in the 1960s, the Get Tough Era of the 1980s and 1990s, and today’s Kids Are Different era. He examines the relationship between social structural factors—changes in the economy, cities, families, race and ethnicity, and politics—and their impact on juvenile justice policies and practices. A comprehensive analysis of juvenile justice history, The Evolution of the Juvenile Court draws on lessons from our past to envision a new, developmentally appropriate justice system for children.

Winner, 2020 ACJS Outstanding Book Award, given by the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences

Genres: Nonfiction

396 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 19, 2017

Reviews

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a really well written examination of the juvenile justice system from beginning to present day. Readers with no knowledge/experience with the justice system will be able to enjoy and understand and it was informative for someone who has practiced inside the justice system for a few years.

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

Review forthcoming.
The gist is that it covers important material but is simply written and edited poorly.

[Geneva Palmer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Proud that I read half of this in one day for class

[Tess · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars, B.

Very informative if a bit dense.

[Alicia]

Reviewing for professional publication- see review there.

[Mills College Library]

345.73081 F3121 2017