Juvenile justice is a justice system that is applied to young children. It is a whole set of steps that begins at an early stage and ends with a sentence. Disproportionate treatment of colored children occurs during all stages of juvenile justice. The two most important stages of the juvenile justice process that generate disproportionate treatment of children of color are the initial contact with law enforcement and the adjudication process.
In the initial contact, police officers are more likely to detain, arrest, and refer youth of color to court than Caucasian youth who have committed similar offenses. Research has found that this is due to implicit and explicit biases, as well as potential structural racism in law enforcement (Ketchum & Peck, 2022). In the adjudication process, the youth of color are more likely to be viewed as being more dangerous and delinquent than their Caucasian peers and are more likely to face harsher punishments than their peers.
A cumulative disadvantage is the consequence of the long-term discriminatory treatment of colored children in the justice system. This occurs as a result of the accumulation of experiences of unjust treatment of them at all stages of juvenile justice. This leads to colored children being most at risk of entering the justice system and receiving harsher sentences than others (Kurlychek & Johnson, 2019). Cumulative disadvantage increases disparities in access to resources and opportunities, which can lead to further inequality in health, education, and economic outcomes, thus increasing disparities in mortality and morbidity.
Latinx Americans, Native Americans, Asians, and Pacific Islanders face many issues in the justice system. Firstly, racial profiling makes them more prone to arrest and accusation. They are also subjected to unfair treatment due to their social status and financial abilities. Finally, they have difficulty gaining access to quality education and legal protection (Ketchum & Peck, 2022). All of these factors create problems for these groups and lead to unfair treatment in the justice system.
The best way to combat the disproportionate treatment of colored children is to conduct a more thorough and non-discriminatory procedure at all stages of juvenile justice. More progressive rules and laws must be adopted to prevent discrimination. Furthermore, awareness of juvenile justice and the rights of colored children must be raised and help in obtaining qualified legal assistance should be provided. In this way, justice can become fairer for all participants.
References
Ketchum, P. R., & Peck, B. M. (2022). Disproportionate Minority Contact and Racism in the US: How We Failed Children of Color. Policy Press.
Kurlychek, M. C., & Johnson, B. D. (2019). Cumulative disadvantage in the American criminal justice system. Annual Review of Criminology, 2, 291-319.