Civics_Ch9_Homework-2

=**Civics Chapter 9 Homework #9**= Use the following passages to answer the questions on notebook paper.

1. __American Families Have Changed__: The family has played an important economic and social role in the history of the United States. Although the American family has changed much since colonial times, the family remains the backbone of American life and culture. During colonial times, most families lived on farms. Because of this rural way of life, these families tended to be much larger than modern American families. Why? Colonial families needed many hands to do all the work required on a farm. Having many children helped these families to get their work done. The colonial family produced most of what it needed to survive. Today, factories and large farms produce most goods and food needed for survival. During the 1800s a huge change began to happen in American life. Many people began moving to the cities. New inventions and improved methods of production, which led to the rise of factories, caused the shift from rural (farm life) to urban (city life) living. People were needed to run the machines, so many families moved to urban areas seeking factory jobs. Imagine that you are part of a rural family that moved to the city during the late 1800s. Your father would probably work long hours in a factory to earn the money to buy things the family once produced on a farm. At first, factory work was often difficult and dangerous. __**QUESTION: How was family life in rural areas different than in cities?**__

2. __Two-Income and Single-Parent Families__: In recent decades, the number of two-income families, or families in which both parents work, has increased. This increase is the result of large number of married women who work outside the home. It's something that has increased since the 1970s. As Americans began to buy bigger homes and more elaborate automobiles and other goods, rather than living with less many families needed two incomes. America, since the 1970s, has grown in terms of wanting material goods, rather than being happy with what one income is able to afford. For example, if one parent is able to afford a house for $60,000 the couple might decide that if both work, they could buy a house for double that amount. Some economists say it's become tougher for families to survive on one income. However, others say it's possible with a sensible budget. For example, Mr. Hill's family lives on Mr. Hill's income alone, proving that it's possible. Of course, Mr. and Mrs. Hill could buy a brand new car and bigger house if Mrs. Hill worked too. However, the Hills decided not to do so. In recent years, the number of single-parent families has increased significantly. Single-parent families are formed through divorce, the death of a spouse, single people adopting children, and births to unmarried women. There are added stresses to a single-parent family. Statistics show that most poverty in Americans cities are in single-parent homes. Not only is it difficult for one adult to be the sole caregiver for a child or several children, single-parent families often must make do with a smaller income than families with two working parents. __**QUESTION: What are some challenges that single-parent families face?**__

3. __Family Law__: As an American you have certain rights, such as freedom of speech and freedom of religion. To protect these rights, the federal government has set up laws. People in families also have certain rights and responsibilities, which are protected by laws as well your states' legislature, rather than the federal legislature, makes the laws. Why? The needs and customs of families may differ in various areas of the country. State legislatures can best make laws that fit the families in that region. Family law regulates marriage, divorce, and the responsibilities and rights of adults and children in the family. All of the marriages in the U.S. must follow the laws of the states in which they are performed. Most states require that people be at least 18 years old to marry without parental consent. In many states, however, boys and girls may marry at age 16 with the consent of their parents. Some states allow people to marry at even younger ages. In an attempt to ensure that couples consider the seriousness of marriage before uniting, about half of all states require that couples wait for one to five days before a marriage license is issued. This waiting period allows couples time to "think it over." Some states also require that a man and woman applying for a marriage license have a medical examination (this is not law in PA). Most states require that civil or religious officials perform marriages. In the U.S. religious leaders perform weddings as does the Justice of the Peace, which is done at the county courthouse (or hired to perform the ceremony at another location). Witnesses must be present at the ceremony to testify that a legal marriage was performed. Some PA laws include marriage to be between a man and a woman, the age to marry is 18 (16 with parental consent), and cannot marry a first-cousin. __**QUESTION: Why is family law necessary?**__

4. __Family Serves the Country__: American families influence children immensely. We depend on families to teach children the skills they need to become responsible adults. Families shape the country's future helping to keep the country strong by providing a stable environment for children. Most of the trouble in our nation comes when there has been a breakdown of the family structure. Families help the nation by educating the family members. Children learn many basic things that help them to survive. It is in the home that children learn to walk, talk, and dress themselves. Again, homes that are destructive in which parents aren't taking the responsibilities for raising their children morally are the homes where trouble comes out of. Teach good behavior is another role of the family. Your earliest ideas of right and wrong are taught in the home. Within the family, children learn how to behave in the world around them. Families also should teach children how to manage money. Members of the family earn and spend money to provide food, clothing, a place to live, and other necessities for its members. Some parents give their children an allowance, or a small sum of money every week. This encourages children to learn how to manage money and to share financial responsibilities. Families also teach good citizenship. The family must teach children to respect the rights of others and to fulfill their responsibilities as good citizens. __**QUESTION: What are some ways families serve the country?**__

5. __Rights of the Family__: When most Americans think of home, they picture a place where the family lives together in harmony. Of course, no family can live up to this ideal all the time. Disagreements are part of family life. The way families handle disagreements is important. using self-restraint and considering other people's points of view can help prevent serious conflict. Each family member has rights. If a person's rights are respected, he or she is more likely to respect the rights of others. It's also important to understand that when a child is under the age of 18, that child is not a legal adult and is therefore under sole authority of the parents. What that child does in society in terms of the law is partly under the responsibility of the child but much liability also is with the parents. Most children naturally want the "freedom" to make their own choices regardless of the wishes and rules of the parents. However, the law says the parents are responsible for the child. In other words, when mom or dad tell you know, that's their job! As mentioned, disagreements do take place in the home. Is this good or bad? Although unpleasant, conflicts can often benefit a family. Arguments, if kept in hand, can teach you how to present your ideas effectively. They can also help you understand another person's point of view. By talking over ideas with members of your family, you learn to be understanding and patient. __**QUESTION: Why are respect and compromise important in the family?**__

6. __Importance of Education__: Francis Bacon, a 16th century British philosopher and inventor said "knowledge is power." Education is important for two main reasons: Education helps individual citizens grow, and it builds a strong country. Americans believe that all citizens should be able to make the most of their talents and abilities. Every single person has a particular talent or genius within them. Our talents/genius are all different. It is up to each of us to find our purpose...our talent...our genius within us. Most agree that everyone should have the same opportunities to learn and succeed. That is why we strive to provide all citizens with equal access to education. Imagine if no one in our country ran for public office, or no one volunteered to help the homeless or clean up parks and roads. People are responsible for what goes on in their communities and neighborhoods. One purpose of education is to teach young citizens how to use their skills to help others and our nation. __**QUESTION: Why do Americans believe education is important?**__

7. __Values and Challenges of Education__: Today most schools offer a wide range of subjects and are filled with many different types of people. Students have opportunities to learn more than just academics. Modern schools have become the rich and varied environment they are because of some basic American values that are part of the U.S. education system. All U.S. citizens can take advantage of free public education, usually from kindergarten through high school. Public education is not entirely free, though. It is paid for with taxes collected by local, state, and federal governments. One value is equal schooling for all. Schools cannot discriminate against anyone because of his or her race, gender, or religion. They also cannot discriminate against a person because of physical disabilities or financial status. Another value is free education for any creed or religion. All Americans, no matter what their religious beliefs, can attend public schools. Schools cannot discriminate against a student because of his or her religious background. Another value is local control. Local communities operate their own public schools. Each school district decides how its schools can best serve its citizens. Another value is compulsory attendance. Each state sets its own attendance requirements. All states, however, require that young people go to school. Another value is an enriching environment. In the United States, people expect schools to be more than just places taht teach academics. Americans expect schools to help students develop to their full potential - in mind, body, and spirit. Another value is inclusive instruction. Most U.S. citizens believe in equal education opportunities for everyone regardless of any special educational needs. __**QUESTION: What are the principles that form the basis of our education system?**__

8. __Education Develops Skills__: To get the most out of school, you have to make some effort. Are you making the most of your time in school? One of the most important skills you can learn is the smart use of your time. Time management, or making and keeping a schedule, can help you in two ways. First, you will be able to make sure that everything you need to do - including having free time - gets done. Second, having a schedule helps to reduce your stress level. There are no surprises or last-minute projects that keep you up all night. Everything is planned and everything gets done. To make a schedule, figure out how much time you need each day or week for your important activities - homework, after-school activities, eating, sleeping. Then, calculate how much time is left for leisure. Write your schedule on a calendar. Stick to your schedule, and you will have mastered a lifelong skill. There are other tips for success as well. Studying at home is beneficial because you can find a quiet, well-lighted place to study. Make sure you have all your materials that you will need nearby. Your bedroom or another quiet place in the house makes a good study place. Be sure to know your material whether the information is online, in a textbook, or notes taken in class. Look over chapter information each day or evening to stay familiar with what is being taught in class each day. Be prepared to participate. Bring all of your supplies, including any books, pens or pencils, and notebooks. Make sure you have done the homework from the night before. Complete your work and don't be afraid to ask questions. __**QUESTION: What skills will help you do well in school?**__

9. __Extracurricular Activities__: School can be more than just classes, homework, tests, and projects. To get the most out of your education, you should get involved in the extracurricular activities that your school offers. Extracurricular activities are the groups, teams, and events that your school sponsors outside of the classroom. So join a sport, club, or group in the school. There are plenty of opportunities: football, basketball, baseball, softball, wrestling, cheerleading, band, school play, golf, tennis, soccer, student-council, as well as a few other groups. If you join after-school activities, you may find a new hobby or improve your skills or even learn new skills. You'll most likely meet new people and make more friends. There are benefits for the future, too. Extracurricular activities may help you get into the college of your choice or earn valuable scholarships. Of course, one of the most important reasons to participate in school activities is that they are fun! __**QUESTION: What skills can you get from extracurricular activities?**__

10. __Learning from Experience__: Maybe you have heard the expression, "We learn from experience." You have been learning from your experiences since you were a baby. Learning is gaining knowledge or a skill through study or experience. Experience is observation of or participation in events. The simplest kind of learning involves the experiences of your senses and muscles. You know from experience that ice is cold, fire is hot, and water is wet. For example, as a young child you probably learned that a stove is hot, because the first time you touched a stove when it was on you felt heat and moved your hand. You would expect this the next time you touched the stove when it was on. This is learning from experience. If your parent told you "hot" when this happened, the next you went close to something hot and they said "hot" again, you knew what could happen if you touched the item. This is a type of learning called conditioning. Much of our behavior is learned by conditioning. If we are rewarded for our actions, then we are conditioned to repeat them. Some behaviors become habits. A habit is an action that we do automatically without thinking about it. We learn habits by repeating an action over and over. Unfortunately, we can also develop bad habits, which hurt us in the long run. We also learn by copying, or imitating, other people. As a child, you may have learned how to use a water fountain by copying someone else. Or perhaps you learned how to cook a meal by imitating a family member. Much of what we learn comes through observation. We gain information through our senses - by looking, listening, touching, smelling, and tasting. Everyone has potential to learn, but how much you learn ultimately lies with you. You need to have the motivation to make the most of your experiences. Motivation is the internal drive to achieve your goals. Motivation is not something anyone else can teach you. You have to develop your own drive to succeed. Motivation is one of the major reasons why successful people are successful while unsuccessful people remain unsuccessful. Schools today make good use of all the ways in which human beings learn. They teach you where to look to find information on your own. They show you how to collect information from many sources and how to put facts together to reach your own conclusions. They allow you to work with others and make the most of your peers' skills and ideas. __**QUESTION: How much do we learn from experience?**__

11. __Learn to Think for Yourself__: We all like to think that our ideas are our own. No one tells us what to think. But have you ever changed your mind about a favorite song or video because someone told you they did not like it? We are all influenced by the opinions of others. Since you were small, the adults in your life have shaped your ideas about the world. Many of us are also influenced by the ideas of our friends and even celebrities. Remind yourself that your ideas are also shaped by others. Remember, when you think critically, you also look closely at your own opinions. Few of us are free from bias or prejudices. A prejudice is an opinion that is not based on the facts. Prejudices are common, and it is tough to avoid them, either our own or those of others. When you try to avoid being influenced by prejudice, though, you can judge an issue more fairly. __**QUESTION: Why do you think it's important in our democracy for voters to think for themselves?**__

12. __Factors Affecting the Location of Communities__: A community is a group of people who have common interests and live in the same area. Three factors affect where Americans build communities. The first factor is resources or natural features of the land that people may use for living. The second factor is climate, or the weather. Plentiful resources and good weather tend to attract settlers. The third factor involves the convenience of local transportation. People want to live near where they work and the places they visit for recreation. The greater the variety of resources in a region, the easier it is for the people who live there to become self-sufficient. On the other hand, a surplus of one or more key resources can bring enough wealth for a community to buy what it cannot produce for itself. The United States has a rich supply of natural resources. For early American settlers, one of the most vital resources was land itself. Fertile soil helped farming prosper. Vast forests provided wood for fuel and construction. Rivers. lakes, and streams supplied fresh water. Eventually, mineral resources such as coal, iron and petroleum helped fuel the Industrial Revolution. Yet the nation's growth has also brought with it the increasing challenge of how to manage the resources we have so that we continue to benefit from them. In some ways, the climate of an area can be seen as a resource. Successful farming depends on having enough rain and a long enough growing season. Weather can also create an environment that attracts tourists. Regular snowfall attracts people interested in winter sports, while many people flock to coastal areas with warm, sunny climates. The impact of climate has changed over time, however. Since fewer people are farmers, the suitability of local weather for raising crops also has less influence today on how people live. Abundant resources and an excellent climate are of little use if an area is too hard to reach. Communities often develop along convenient transportation routes. The first European colonists in North America settled along the eastern shore. The best seaports there became large cities that benefited from overseas trade, such as Boston, Charleston, New York, and Philadelphia. As settlers moved inland, they found travel by land to be difficult and slow. Water travel was much easier. So, communities grew up along major rivers and lakes. For example, port towns along the Mississippi River - such as St. Louis and New Orleans - grew into major cities. Communities also sprang up at places where two main roads met, called crossroads. When railroads began spreading across the country in the late 1840s, they created new crossroads and new settlements. Today automobiles are our major method of daily transportation, so the location of major highways has a huge impact on community growth. Founding a community based on any of the three main factors has risks. A valuable resource may be used up over time, causing the community to suffer. Natural disasters like hurricanes and floods can strike towns and cities built along coastlines and rivers. Even ease of access can change if a new highway draws traffic away from a town or congestion slows down road travel. People are constantly weighing these changing factors when deciding where to live. __**QUESTION: What determines the location of cities?**__

13. __Rural and Urban Communities__: A rural area is a region of farms and small towns. Not all rural communities and agriculture. In general, there are two main types of rural communities. The people who live and work on farms make up America's smallest king of community - the rural farm community. Types of farms differ from region to region though because of climate differences. Small country towns have populations less than 2,500 and are usually located near open farmland. These towns serve as places where farmers can buy supplies or sell their farm crops and animals. As the country has grown, however, rural communities have been decreasing. Recently some rural areas have begun to grow as small businesses sometimes move to rural areas. Urban areas are cities and communities with more population. The Census Bureau classifies areas as urban if they have a core of census blocks that have a population density of at least 1,000 people per square mile and surrounding census blocks that have an overall density of at least 500 people per square mile. Suburbs have been growing ever since modern transportation allowed people to live away from where they work. A suburb is a town, village, or community located on the outskirts of a city. People who live in the suburbs often work in the city. Suburbs are very attractive to many people. They are smaller than cities, and some people prefer life in a smaller community. Suburbs have been growing so fast, though, that many suburban areas are now facing the same challenges as cities. Some urban areas have become so large that it is hard to tell where these cities end and where the suburbs begin. A community like this - a large city and its surrounding towns and suburbs - is called a metropolitan area, or a metropolis. Some metropolitan areas have grown so large that they form a continuous urban chain. This type of giant urban area is called a megalopolis. __**QUESTION: What is the difference between rural and urban communities?**__

14. __Communities Teach Values__: People who live in any kind of community have to learn to get along with other people. No matter where you go, you will have to deal with other people. Two basic values - communicating with others and respect for laws - make getting along much easier. You probably talk with your friends every day - and probably more than once a day! When you talk, you exchange all the latest news about other friends, your family, or the day's events. People want and need this kind of contact. The passing along of information, ideas, and beliefs from one person to another is known as communication. Communication is an important reason people live in communities. Problems may seem less difficult when a person can talk them over with someone else. When you gather and share information, you are also adding to what you know about things around you. This knowledge makes it easier to reach good decisions and choices. Not only that, but knowing and understanding what is happening with your friends and neighbors will help you learn to respect them more. Communities have governments in place to help citizens avoid conflict. In addition to providing basic services, local governments pass ordinances and laws to regulate everyday life. People who live together in a community need laws and regulations to keep order and live at peace with one another. Local governments also provide citizens with a forum to discuss and address problems before they get out of hand. Local government is a way for you and your neighbors to participate in running your own community. By respecting each other and respecting the law, you and other members of your community can live together successfully. __**QUESTION: What do good communication and respecting the law have in common?**__

15. __Community Services__: Today, communities provide a wide variety of services to their citizens. Safety is a primary responsibility of government at all levels. There are certain basic services that you and your neighbors expect from your community. You want to live in a community where you and your property are safe from violence and harm. In most communities, the police force and fire department help keep you and your neighbors safe. Public schools provide and education to all of a community's young people. In many communities, some students attend private schools, and some students are home schooled. In some communities, businesses and other local organizations provide tutoring and educational support for students who need extra help. Water, sewage, electricity, and trash collection are basic services. They are usually provided by public utilities. A public utility is one of a group of industries providing services such as water, gas, and electricity, to both domestic and business customers. Nearly all U.S. cities and towns have places of recreation, such as bowling alleys, movie theaters, parks, and skating rinks. Recreation is relaxation or amusement that comes from playing or doing something different from your usual activities. Sporting events and outdoor activities are popular forms of recreation. A lot recreational activities are free, like picnicking in parks or riding on a bicycle trail. However, it costs money to provide places where you may spend your leisure time. Many recreational facilities are maintained at public expense. Taxes support public playgrounds, athletic fields, picnic grounds, basketball courts, and golf courses. __**QUESTION: How do both basic services and recreational facilities contribute to the well-being of communities?**__

16. __Volunteering is Important__: Every day, all around you, volunteers are working to improve your community. They help the sick, poor, elderly, and disabled. They collect money for charities. Volunteers may even put out fires and drive ambulances in your area. Many Americans do not even realize how much work volunteers do. Communities rely on the help of volunteers because no government knows all the needs of its citizens. Volunteers also help provide services a community might not be able to afford otherwise. The United States has many different volunteer groups. Some are small local groups. Some are national groups. Community groups include hospital volunteers, volunteer firefighters, and student-parent-teacher associations (PTA). National groups include such groups as the United Way, Make a Wish Foundation, American Cancer Society, and the March of Dimes. __**QUESTION: How do volunteer groups help improve communities?**__

17. __Types of Crime__: A crime is any act that breaks the law and for which there is a punishment. A criminal is a person who commits any type of crime. he Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) collects information on crime in the United States. The FBI identifies various types of crimes. Serious crimes, such as murder and kidnapping, are called felonies. Less serious crimes, such as traffic violations and disturbing the peace, are charged as misdemeanors. There are five main categories of crime. Crimes against persons that include force or threat of force are violent crimes. They include acts that harm a person, end a person's life, or threaten to end a person's life. The most serious is homicide. Another type is aggravated assault as well as rape. Hate crimes are often violent crimes committed against people because of a prejudice. Another category is crimes against property are committed the most and involve stealing or destroying someone else's property. Burglary (breaking into a place and stealing) and larceny (stealing without breaking in) are examples. Robbery involves property and person when a robber is stealing and threatens to endanger the victim. Vandalism is damaging a person's property. A third category is victimless crimes, such as illegal gambling and the use of illegal drugs since these crimes do not violate another person's rights. Victimless crimes are a problem for society since crimes involving illegal drugs often leads to other crimes such as robbery. People who use drugs are often abusive to their family as well. A fourth category is white-collar crimes. Some nonviolent crimes are considered white-collar crimes involving copyright violations, embezzlement, and fraud. Embezzlement is the theft of money that has been entrusted to an individual's care. Fraud means cheating someone out of money or property. White-collar crimes may involve computers in which essential and sensitive information is stored. This is called cybercrime. Some computer criminals, also called hackers, break into computer systems to commit electronic theft, fraud, and embezzlement. Some hackers spread viruses that can damage computer systems. Recently, there has been an increase in identity theft, which occurs when someone uses your personal information to commit fraud or other crimes. The fifth category is organized crime. Organized crime groups specialize in providing illegal goods and services. They operate in gambling, drug trafficking, prostitution, and lending money at extremely high interest rates. __**QUESTION: What are the main categories of crime?**__

18. __Causes of Crime__: Although no one really knows why people commit crimes, experts have a lot of theories. Poverty, illegal drug use, and other aspects of society are thought to contribute to crime. One cause is poverty and unemployment. When people cannot earn enough money to support themselves or their family, they may turn to crime to obtain things they don't have. This isn't a good reason or acceptable, but is a cause of crime. A second cause is illegal drug use. Many of the crimes committed each year are drug-related. People who commit these crimes may be stealing to support their drug habit, selling drugs, or acting under the influence of drugs. A third reason for crime is that some people believe our permissive society contributes to crime. The idea is that many parents permit their children to do anything they want. Some children have not learned to act responsibly on their own or with others, so they commit crimes. Other people believe that judges often are too easy when sentencing criminals. A fourth cause is urbanization. More people live in cities, which means there are more potential victims for criminals. Some people suggest that technological and social change may lead to crime as people fall behind the times. Without a good education, some people are unable to find jobs and may turn to crime. Others suggest that society's attitudes toward right and wrong have changed, or that violence in the media and in computer games inspire violent crimes. As you can see, a variety of aspects of today's society have been offered as causes of crime. Perhaps the one thing that experts do agree on is that today's crime problem probably cannot be blamed on any single cause. __**QUESTION: What are the major causes of crime?**__

19. __Fighting Crime__: Whatever the causes, crime hurts everyone. Partly in response to the growing public outcry about crime, Congress passed a national crime bill that illustrates some of the country's main strategies for reducing crime. One approach is to increase the number of police officers and expand the prison system. Another is to provide tougher legal penalties for criminals. Some strategies focus on crime prevention. These include creating community policing programs in neighborhoods to improve relationships between police and citizens. Schools can also provide crime prevention education. These strategies have helped reduce crime rates, but there is no simple solution. Fighting crime effectively requires citizens to get involved. There are many things you can do to help your community. Report any crimes that you see. Take common-sense precautions to ensure your safety and that of others. Even small steps such as cleaning up graffiti in your neighborhood can help fight crime. Finally, try to support the police officers who work to protect your community. The police have a number of duties. These duties include protecting life and property as well as preventing crime. Police have to have probable cause to make an arrest. Probable cause means that the officer must have witnessed the crime or must have gathered enough evidence to make an arrest. If no one saw the suspect commit the crime, an arrest warrant is an authorization by the court to make an arrest. __**QUESTION: What is the job of police officers?**__

20. __The Court Process__: In the criminal justice system, after a police arrest a suspect, the suspect goes on trial. The first step is the preliminary hearing, which must be held soon after the accused's arrest. During this hearing, a judge must decide if there is enough evidence to send the case to trial. If there is not, the judge can dismiss, or drop, the charges. If the charges are not dropped, the judge must decide whether to set bail. Bail is the money a person - now called a defendant - posts as a guarantee that he or shee will return for trial. The bail amount is usually related to the seriousness of the offense. For a minor offense, the judge may release the defendant on his or her own recognizance, or without bail. If the defendant being charged with a minor offense lives in the community and has a good reputation, the judge is more likely to release the defendant without bail. If the judge believes the defendant might try to flee, or if the crime is serious, he or she can order that the defendant be held in jail until the trial. After he or she is charged, the defendant goes before a judge for arraignment, which is when the defendant enters a plea of guilty or not guilty to the charge. If he or she pleads guilty, no trial is necessary. If the defendant pleads not guilty to the charge, the case goes to trial. The defense represents the defendant. The prosecution represents the government's side of the case. The defense and prosecution lawyers choose the jurors for the trial from a large group of people. In most states, both of these lawyers have the right to question prospective jurors. Each can reject people they believe might be prejudiced against his or her side of the case. After the jury has been selected, the trial begins. First, the prosecutor presents the case against the defendant. Next, the defense presents its case. During the trial, a defendant may choose whether or not to testify. Under the U.S. Constitution, no defendant can be forced to testify against himself or herself (5th amendment). Witnesses may be called to testify by either side. Each attorney asks his or her arguments. The judge then tells the jurors what they can and cannot consider under the law in reaching their verdict. Finally, the jury leaves the courtroom to deliberate, or discuss, the case. Defendants are always presumed innocent until a verdict is delivered. It is the prosecution's job to prove that the defendant is guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. If there is reasonable doubt, the jury must acquit - that is the jury must find the defendant not guilty of the crime. If the jury cannot agree on a verdict (all 12 jurors have to agree), the case may be tried again before another jury. If the defendant is found guilty, the judge decides on the punishment, or sentence. Some states allow the jury to decide the sentence. Most cases never go to trial due to a plea bargain, which is when the defendant agrees to plead guilty to a charge that is a lesser offense than what is charged, which will therefore carry a lighter sentence. __**QUESTION: What are the main steps in the court process?**__

21. __Punishing Lawbreakers__: If you break the law and are found guilty of a crime, you will be punished. The punishment is handled by the corrections system, the third part of the criminal justice system (along with police and the courts). Corrections can include imprisonment, parole, or capital punishment. Less serious crimes may be punished only with fines or with fines plus a suspended sentence or probation, in which a person is not imprisoned unless he or she violates the conditions imposed by the court's order. Most serious crimes are typically punished with imprisonment. Most people agree that dangerous criminals should be removed from society for a period of time. Many American prisons face a serious overcrowding problem. Proposed solutions range from building more prisons to releasing inmates earlier, but no easy answers seem available. Some people believe that society has the right to make the criminal pay for his or her crime. Other people view imprisonment as a deterrent to crime. That is, it discourages people from becoming criminals. A third view of imprisonment is that it serves as a means of rehabilitation. Some people believe that rehabilitated, or reformed, criminals can return to society as law-abiding citizens. Still other people view imprisonment as a means of social protection. People in prison cannot pose a threat to the lives or property of people in the community. After serving a part of their sentences, many prisoners are eligible for parole, or early release. People are paroled on the condition that they obey certain rules and stay out of trouble. Parole is generally granted to prisoners who behave well and who show signs of rehabilitation. A parole board carefully reviews each application for parole and then accepts or denies the request. A paoled prisoner must report regularly to a parole officer. Parole usually lasts for the remaining length of a person's sentence. The harshest punishment for crimes committed in the United States is capital punishment, or the death penalty. __**QUESTION: What methods are used by the U.S. corrections system to punish criminals?**__

22. __Juvenile Crime__: The dictionary defines juvenile as a young person. Most states define a juvenile as a person under the age of 18. Some states set the age as low as 16. But no matter where you live, every state has special laws for dealing with juveniles who commit crimes. Juveniles become delinquents when they are found guilty of breaking a law. Juvenile crime is a major concern for states and the nation as a whole. Juveniles who value their education are less likely to become juvenile delinquents than those who do not value their education. __**QUESTION: What is a juvenile crime?**__

23. __Causes of Juvenile Crime__: Why do some young people break the law? As with adult crime, there is no single answer. Experts who have studied the problem believe that there are a few main causes of juvenile crime. Poor home conditions is one cause. Many juvenile offenders come from homes in which the parents do not or cannot take responsibility for their children. Sometimes parents are absent or rarely at home to help care for their children. Sometimes parents are absent or rarely at home to help care for their children. Sometimes the parents are alcoholics, illegal drug users, or child abusers. Such parents often expose their children to criminal or violent behavior. It is not unusual for children in these situations to spend much of their time on the streets. Without responsible authority figures at home, neglected children may get into serious trouble. A second cause is poor neighborhood conditions. The poorer areas of cities frequently have higher rates of crime than other areas. These neighborhoods typically do not offer the same educational and job opportunities as the poor communities. As a result, many young people in these areas feel hopeless and angry about their situations. Some young people see crime as their only way out of the poverty that surrounds them. Gang membership is a third cause. Young people without stable homes may turn to gangs for support and a sense of belonging. In a sense the gang becomes a substitute family. The problem is that gangs are often involved in serious crimes like murder and illegal drug use and dealing. The problem of gang related crime has prompted many communities to look for ways to keep young people from joining gangs. It's important to keep in mind one of the biggest civic responsibilities our Founding Fathers felt was important was by living by one's faith. Entering a life of drugs or gang membership under the false belief that it is "cool" is the opposite of what can lead a person to success. The responsibilities established by our Founding Fathers have proven to lead to a successful and meaningful life. Dropping out of school is a fourth cause. It is not surprising that when young people have nothing to do, they may get into trouble. Juveniles who drop out of school often lack the education ands kills to get a decent job. Dropouts are often unemployed and are often at greater risk of becoming involved in criminal activities. It's simple - if you drop out of school in the 21st century (gone are the days of our grandparents who could drop out of school and get great paying jobs in the mills and mines), you will be locked into a certain lifestyle that limits you to choices in terms of earning success. A fifth and major cause is alcohol and drugs. It is illegal to sell alcohol to minors (those under age 18). It is also illegal to sell habit-forming drugs to anyone who does not ahve a doctor's prescription. Yet many young people find ways to get alcohol and illegal drugs. Drug and alcohol use can lead a person to do things that he or she might not do otherwise. People under the influence of drugs or alcohol may commit other crimes, like drunk driving or assault. In addition, addicts who need money to pay for their habits often turn to crime. A sixth cause is peer pressure. Some young people are pressured by their friends to commit crimes. Studies suggest that young people who socialize with delinquent peers are more likely to become involved in crime themselves. __**QUESTION: What causes juvenile crime?**__

24. __Treating Juveniles as Adults__: The number of serious crimes committed by juveniles ahs dropped since the 1990s. Still, some adults believe that juvenile offenders should be tried in adult criminal courts. Critics of the juvenile system point to serious crimes like murder as reasons for trying young people as adults. For example, suppose a young person is convicted of murder. If sentenced as a juvenile, he or she may serve only a short sentence in a juvenile corrections facility. Despite the good intentions of corrections officers, that juvenile may commit further crimes after release. Some people also question the argument that young people who commit violent crimes are not as responsible for their actions as adults. For these reasons, most states now certify juveniles for trial in adult criminal courts under certain circumstances. This usually happens when a youth is 14 or older and is accused of committing a felony. Young people who are found guilty - as an adult - of a crime in a criminal court are usually punished the way adults are punished. This means a young person convicted of a major felony is likely to get a longer sentence in a harsher facility. The Supreme Court has ruled, however, a juvenile cannot receive the death penalty. As more young people have been tried as adults, more have been sentence to adult prisons. The debate continues to go on whether juveniles are best rehabilitated in a juvenile system or the adult system. __**QUESTION: Do you support trying juveniles as adults in harsh criminal cases? Why or why not?**__

25. __Avoiding Trouble__: Scientists who study crime and criminal behavior offer the following suggestions to young people who want to avoid trouble with the law. This advice is not always so easy to follow. However, choosing to take these steps will not only keep you out of trouble but will also help you achieve your goals that you set for yourself. First, do not use drugs. People who use drugs often end up in criminal courts and corrections facilities or jails. A criminal record can follow you for life. Second, stay in school and get the best education possible. A good education will provide you with important skills and increase your chances of getting a good job. Third, have the courage to say no when friends ask you to do something illegal. Make sure that your friends and role models are a positive influence on you. Anyone can go along with the crowd, but it takes courage to stand up to one. Fourth, try to live a full life, with plenty of physical activity and interesting hobbies. You might even discover a hidden talent. A person who is busy doing challenging things is less likely to become bored and turn to criminal activities as an outlet. __**QUESTION: How can a young person avoid trouble with the law?**__

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