Juvenile justice careers come in a variety of shapes and sizes. A person interested in pursuing a career in this field is likely to have a general interest in working in the justice system. There may also be a strong desire to work primarily with juveniles who have been charged with criminal offenses. A judge, a juvenile court attorney, a juvenile probation officer, and a counselor are all common juvenile justice careers.
Working closely with troubled youths in a variety of settings is part of a career in juvenile justice. The juvenile justice system was created to punish minors who commit crimes but are not old enough to be tried as adults; a juvenile crime is punishable under a different set of laws than an adult crime. The age criteria for classifying someone as a juvenile differ by region. Individuals interested in a career in juvenile justice must be well-versed in juvenile criminal law.
Judges are among the highest-ranking officials in the juvenile justice system. Presiding over criminal juvenile cases and deciding on the best course of punishment for such crimes are all part of this career path. A juvenile judge may be particularly interested in minors’ rehabilitation. A college diploma and some type of graduate degree, such as a law degree, are typically required to become a judge.
An attorney may be one of the first people a troubled adolescent contacts for help after being charged with a crime. When a juvenile appears before a judge in a court of law, an attorney can represent him or her and speak on his or her behalf. To become an attorney, you’ll need at least a bachelor’s degree, and graduate degrees are frequently required as well. Law clerks and paralegals, in addition to being lawyers, may be possible juvenile justice careers.
A youth who has committed a crime may be granted freedom, but only under certain conditions, by being placed on probation. A juvenile probation officer will keep track of these restrictions. These probation officers will supervise and monitor a juvenile’s activities, and the juvenile will be required to report to the probation officer at predetermined times. To work as a probation officer, you may need an associate’s degree, certification, and some experience in criminology, juvenile justice, or correctional administration.
Counselors can work in the juvenile justice system. A counselor may be assigned to a juvenile who has run afoul of the law in order to learn more about the individual’s life in general, as well as his or her emotional and mental health. A bachelor’s or master’s degree is typically required for this position. Many counselors are licensed, and they may work alongside a probation officer to monitor a juvenile on probation’s well-being.
Careers in juvenile justice can have a variety of work environments. Some jobs, such as those of a judge or a juvenile court attorney, require a lot of time spent in a courtroom. Other career options, such as that of a counselor, may entail working in a detention center. Many juvenile justice careers will typically require some form of secondary education. When considering a career in juvenile justice, research the educational and work experience requirements ahead of time.