y cultural differences that led them to crimes. Young Immigrant families were starving; therefore, stealing was their major crime (Landau 89). The juvenile justice system was condemned by society in the 1960s (Landau 89). This would show the first signs of severe young offenders receiving lesser sentences than juveniles committed minor crimes. "There is no national juvenile justice system in the United States" (Landau 90). Each state's law on juvenile violence varies. Juvenile crime went on the rise in the 1980-1990s. Murder has been the leading felony among juveniles. However, in 1994, 60% of juvenile offenders who committed murder were African American black men (Silverstein 12).
             Our legal system has two different court systems. One, Juvenile court is where we hear a lot of our cases on custody battles, child support payments, and even misdemeanors committed by juveniles. Secondly, Adult courts other wise known as Criminal court. This is where adults find out their fate for a crime committed against another. Juvenile Offenders could be tried in both systems. In some cases the prosecutor can file them directly into criminal court. This process is called "concurrent jurisdiction". States have another form called "statutory exclusion" meaning that if the crime committed is serious enough the juvenile will automatically is tried as an adult (Hunzeker).
             The Juvenile system seemed to be the answer. However, it had flaws. Juvenile offenders are protected from society. The accused does not receive a criminal record for crimes committed. This results in a problem for judges and repeat offenders. If there is no record of their crimes, how will they do the time (Landau 90)? Small portions of cases do not even make it to court (Landau 90). Juvenile offenders are set free for crimes that adults get life in prison. If we set an example like that, adolescent violence will continue to rise. Victims are the ones who are suff...