This book will expand students' knowledge and understanding of the evolution of juvenile justice in the last 50 years. Designed to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the landmark case In re Gault, which the U.S. Supreme Court decided in 1967, the authors provide a brief history of juvenile justice, then frame the developments and transformations that have occurred in the intervening years. Topics covered include an overview of the dramatic changes to the field following the spike in youth violence in the 1990s, the "superpredator" myth, zero-tolerance policies, and sanctions for juvenile offenders--particularly the 2005 abolition of the death penalty and subsequent decision on life without parole. The book also covers child and youth victimization and trauma, and recent prevention and treatment initiatives.

Designed for upper-level undergraduates, this text reflects on the evolving U.S. juvenile justice system while anticipating future challenges and trends. Reaffirming Juvenile Justice illustrates how ideology, media, and politics shape policy and how it can evolve.

Alida V. Merlo is a Professor of Criminology and Criminal Justice at Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP), where she joined the faculty in 1995. Previously, she taught for 20 years at Westfield State University in Massachusetts. Dr. Merlo received her Ph.D. from Fordham University, M.S. from Northeastern University, and B.A. from Youngstown State University. She conducts research and publishes in the areas of juvenile justice, women and the law, and criminal justice policy. She is the co-author (with Peter J. Benekos and Dean J. Champion) of The Juvenile Justice System: Delinquency, Processing, and the Law, 8th edition, and (with Peter J. Benekos) of Crime Control, Politics and Policy, 2nd edition, and co-editor (with Peter J. Benekos) of Controversies in Juvenile Justice and Delinquency, 2nd edition, and (with Joycelyn M. Pollock) of Women, Law, and Social Control, 2nd edition. She is a past-president of the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences and the recipient of the ACJS Fellow and Founder's Awards, and the Minorities and Women's Section Coramae Richey Mann Leadership Award. Prior to her career in academia, she was a Juvenile Probation Officer and Intake Supervisor for the Mahoning County Juvenile Court in Youngstown, Ohio. Merlo was selected as IUP Distinguished University Professor in 2020-21.

Peter J. Benekos is Professor Emeritus of Criminology and Criminal Justice at Mercyhurst University in Erie, Pennsylvania. He was a Visiting Professor at Roger Williams University School of Justice Studies. Dr. Benekos earned his Ph.D. from the University of Akron, M.A. from University of Cincinnati, and B.S. from Clarion University. He has conducted research in the areas of juvenile justice, corrections, and public policy. He is the co-author (with Alida V. Merlo and Dean Champion) of The Juvenile Justice System: Delinquency, Processing, and the Law, 8th edition, and (with Alida V. Merlo) of Crime Control, Politics and Policy, 2nd edition, and co-editor (with Alida V. Merlo) of Controversies in Juvenile Justice and Delinquency, 2nd edition. He is recipient of the 2012 Founder's Award and the 2011 Outstanding Mentor Award presented by the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences. Dr. Benekos is a past-president of the Northeastern Association of Criminal Justice Sciences and is a Trustee of the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences.