Each activity contains a case study concerning a youth, or aspect of the youth justice system. The case study is then followed by a series of questions; you must respond to them all. The questions pertain to the content covered in this unit and you will be required to consult legislation and/or academic literature as part of your responses to the questions. As the exercises are problem-based, your responses must be related back to and relevant to the case provided.
Assignment Criteria
You are being assessed on the following criteria:
Quality and clarity of the response to the exercise;
Demonstrated knowledge through relevance of content and level of detail;
Critical thinking demonstrated through the application of theory/research/legislation to the case provided;
Written expression including academic voice and succinct, but appropriate, language;
Use of legislation and literature to support ideas (where appropriate);
Format of in-text and end-text references (use APA 7th).
CRI2202 Case study assignment instructions
Case Studies
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Case Study 1: Youth Justice Legislation (20 marks)
Jessica is a 16-year-old Caucasian female who was recently arrested for 1 x burglary in dwelling.
Case file information indicates that on 4thApril, 2023, at 2:35am Jessica broke into the residential dwelling of a person known to her. She entered through the doggy door, which had been left unlocked accidentally by the occupant. She made her way through the house to the bathroom where the occupant stored their medication. She took several packets of tramadol, oxycodone and pseudoephedrine-based medications. She left through the laundry door.
During the interview, Jessica admitted that she had gone to the premises with the intent to steal the drugs. She reported that she was told about the victim’s medication from a friend who was a cleaner for the occupant. She would not provide the details of the cleaner.
File information revealed Jessica has a Court history consisting of illegal possession of pharmaceutical medication, possession of methamphetamine and theft related offences. During the interview, Jessica advised that she has been using illicit substances, including opiates and amphetamines, for a period of four years. Jessica stated that she has been unable to maintain employment because of poor performance and therefore could not afford to purchase enough drugs to meet her increasing needs.
Jessica stated that she has no contact with her parents because of abuse and neglect in the home when she was a child. Since the age of 14, she has been in group and foster homes, where she reports abuse also occurred. She reports some time living on the streets when she ran away from the foster homes. Jessica is an only child.
Questions and Answers (20 marks)
Question 1.1 Responsible Adult
Jessica has reported that she did not have an adult present with her at the time of arrest or in the interview immediately following her arrest. The police claim they were unable to locate and/or contact a responsible adult at the time of arrest. According to theYoung Offenders Act 1994(WA), have the police acted inappropriately? Refer to the relevant sections of theYoung Offenders Act 1994(WA) as part of your answer.
(150 – 200 words)(4 marks)
Question 1.2 JJT
Could Jessica have been referred to, and dealt with by, a Juvenile Justice Team (JJT)? Explain the criteria that are applied when deciding whether to refer as case to the Juvenile Justice Team or not. Refer to the relevant sections of theYoung Offenders Act 1994(WA) as part of your answer.
(200 – 250 words)(4 marks)
Question 1.3 Court Information
What five (5) general types of information regarding Jessica and her offence, is the court required to consider when making decisions about how best to deal with Jessica and dispose of the case? Refer to the relevant sections of theYoung Offenders Act 1994(WA) as part of your answer.
(100 – 150 words)(2 marks)
Question 1.4 Criminal Records
Jessica has raised concerns about the type of information contained within her juvenile criminal record and who has access to it.
- Explain the information that can be stored within a juvenile’s criminal record. Refer to theYoung Offenders Act 1994(WA) as part of your answer.
- Using the Act, explain whether Jessica's juvenile criminal record can be accessed by others.
(150 – 200 words)(3 marks)
Question 1.5 Children's Courts
Jessica finds the Children's Court experience challenging for several reasons. Locate and read the following article:
- Crofts, P., Amarasekara, S., Briffa, P., Makari, R., & Remedios, M. (2008). Design and children’s courts.Alternative Law Journal, 33(4), 229-234.
Use this article and locate an additionaltwoarticles to prepare a set of "best practice" guidelines by which Children’s Courts should operate. You can use bullet points in this answer.
[Note: Jessica's experience does not need to be referred to in this question.]
(500 words)(7 marks)
Case Study 2: Youth Offending Risk Factors (20 marks)
Brandon is a 17-year-old Aboriginal male who was arrested for 1 x Being armed in a way to cause fear, 1 x Threats to kill and 1 x Resist Arrest. Brandon received a four-month custodial sentence.
Case file information indicates that Brandon was driving his vehicle in Joondalup when he saw another male known to him. He pulled his vehicle off the road and got out, confronting the other male in the street. The pair had a verbal altercation which escalated until there was a large crowd watching. Brandon pulled a knife from under his shirt that appeared to be tucked into his waistband. He pointed it at the other male, indicating that he would stab him if the other male did not provide him with the information he wanted regarding a female. At one point, Brandon yelled at the other male, “I’ll kill you if you don’t tell me!”
Police attended the scene and Brandon attempted to escape on foot however police caught up to him. Brandon struggled with the officers. He attempted to punch one of the officers who was trying to handcuff him. Police eventually restrained Brandon and took possession of the knife. Brandon reported that he was under the influence of methamphetamine at the time of his offence.
Brandon is unemployed and relies on government benefit payments to support himself. He is living in privately rented accommodation in Joondalup with two other males who also have a history of offending, but were not involved in this incident. Brandon has not disclosed being in an intimate relationship.
Brandon reported a pattern of regular drug use. He stated that he consumes alcohol (usually spirits) daily and tends to “binge” on weekends when socialising with friends. He noted that he commenced drinking alcohol at around 11 years of age. By the age of 15 Brandon commenced cannabis use, which has escalated in frequently. He reported that he typically smokes cannabis “three or so times a week”. Brandon explained that he uses other drugs, such as MDMA (Ecstasy), methamphetamine and LSD “occasionally” and only when partying with friends.
Brandon’s mother died from an autoimmune disease when he was 11 years old. He reported high levels of conflict with his father who has been described as having a “drinking problem”. Brandon reported that his father hit him from a young age and the violence pre-dates his mother’s death. However, he reported that following his mother’s death the frequency and level of violence worsened to the point that he “just had to get out”. Brandon has one sister and presents as being very jealous of her. Brandon refers to his sister as the “golden child” who can do “nothing wrong”. He stated that his sister is very successful within the mining industry but does not know any more than that because they do not have contact. Brandon stated that his sister loves to point out that Brandon is a “loser” and “rub her success in his face”.
Questions and Answers (20 marks)
Question 2.1
Provide an overview of the most recent crime data regarding juvenile offending in Australia and your home state. Explain whether Brandon’s offences are typical of other young males who offend.
(250 – 300 words)(3 marks)
Question 2.2
Identify aspects of Brandon’s attitudes, behaviour, and life in general, that constitute risk factors relevant to his motivation to offend. Refer to academic literature to support your answer.
(350 – 400 words)(6 marks)
Question 2.3
- Prioritise Brandon’s offending risk factors according to which risks you feel should be addressed first.
- Briefly explain evidence-based services and/or treatments available in Brandon's residential area that would be suitable to address their risk factors.
Justify your answers using relevant academic literature.
(Approx. 500 words)(7 marks)
Question 2.4
Outline the effects of youth detention on young people, justifying your answer using relevant academic literature.
(Approx. 400 words)(4 marks)