Do not include a title page or reference page, but do include your name on p. 1.
• Length. The answer to each question can be no longer than 2 single-spaced pages. The total
length of your exam therefore should be no more than 6 single-spaced pages.
• Start each answer on a new page, number each answer, and label each part (e.g., “a,” “b”).
• Formatting. Use 1” margins, single-spacing, and 12-point Times New Roman font.
QUESTIONS
Question 1. (a) Drawing on chapters 23, 24, 25, and 27, describe how and why informal processing of
youth—such as police and court personnel discretion in how they handle delinquency cases—may benefit
youth. (b) Describe how and why it may harm them. (c) What could be done to ensure that personnel discretion helps rather than harms youth?
Question 2. (a) Drawing on chapters 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, and 18, and the Mears et al. (2011) article,discuss what we know about the effectiveness of juvenile court sanctions (e.g., probation, residential commitment, and transfer to adult court) in reducing recidivism and crime and promoting the well-being
of juvenile offenders. (b) Discuss problems that may undermine the effectiveness of the juvenile court.
(c) Pick one type of sanction (probation, residential commitment, transfer) and present an argument for how you would improve its effectiveness.
Question 3. Drawing on chapters 34 and 35, identify at least 3 lessons from other countries or either chapter that might be useful in improving juvenile justice in America. As with all the questions, defend your answer through reference to the reading.