Juvenile Justice: An Introduction provides comprehensive analysis of all aspects of the juvenile justice system, including history, movements toward diversion and deinstitutionalization, police interaction, court process, due process and community intervention. It also explores the theoretical rationales for the various interventions in order to make a complete evaluation of each effort.This book also examines subthemes of juvenile justice, such as female delinquency, gang delinquency, the use of the death penalty on youths, and finding the correct philosophical approach to juvenile justice. It concludes with a look to the future of the juvenile court, including the real possibility of abolition. Important terms, "what you need to know," online links, tables and figures, photos, and discussion questions supplement every chapter. Glossary consolidates key terms with definitions.