Studies in Crime and Public Policy

by Barry C. Feld

Book Overview

Within the past three decades, social and legal changes have transformed the juvenile court from a nominally rehabilitative welfare agency into a second-class criminal court for young offenders. Recent efforts to "toughen" juvenile justice policies have resulted in increasingly harsh sanctions that fall disproportionately on minority youths. In this provocative new book, Barry Feld examines what went wrong with the juvenile court and proposes an alternative...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0195097882
• ISBN13: 9780195097887
• Release Date: March 1999
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA
• Length: 392 Pages
• Weight: 1.34 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 6.1" x 9.2"

Customer Reviews

Bad Kids: Race and the Transformation of the Juvenile Court

Bad Kids: Race and the Transformation of the Juvenile Court (Studies in Crime and Public Policy) I appreciated the fact that Mr. Feld's approach to his study included a child development theory base! The condition and delivery of the book was quick and secure. Thank you from a first time user.

One of the Best Recent Books on Juvenile Justice

Feld is one of the most informed scholars of the juvenile court working today. This book is a tremendous resource for anyone who wants to understand the contemporary juvenile court system as well as the current controversy about the court's responsibility for young offenders. His conclusion, that the juvenile court's delinquency jurisdiction is not only constitutionally suspect but also unworkable in today's policy climate, disturbs those who instinctively defend the system. Once you read his book, however, his arguments are difficult to dismiss so easily.

Bad Kids Raises Provocative and Timely Policy Issues

Barry Feld's "Bad Kids" raises provocative and timely policy issues concerning American juvenile justice at the turn of the century. More than most researchers, he has kept two issues front and center: (1) the contradictions and failings of the juvenile court, and (2) the role of race in driving juvenile justice policy and practice. There are few resources available that address these issues adequately, much less that place them within a broader historical, legal, and sociological context. His primary policy focus is on abolishment of the juvenile court, but many of his arguments can be used to develop and defend modifications, rather than wholesale elimination, of juvenile justice systems. For this reason alone it is a must read for proponents of juvenile justice.

An excellent author, who knows kids better then themselves!

A top quality book on juvenile crime. A MUST READ ! Provides you with insight into things never before imagined!!! BUY THIS BOOK! -Robert Daniels, San Diego, CA