A brief yet thorough introduction with an emphasis on real-world issues Briefer and less expensive than traditional core textbooks, Juvenile Justice: The Essentials provides a current, thought-provoking introduction to juvenile justice, juvenile delinquency, the challenges of reducing juvenile crime, and of providing equal and fair justice for all juvenile offenders. Offering a comprehensive yet concise overview of the field′s most important concepts and issues, authors Richard Lawrence and Mario Hesse include cutting-edge research; practical examples of juvenile justice in action; and up-to-date coverage of laws, policies, and programs in juvenile justice. Engaging pedagogical features illustrate true-to-life cases, policies, and practices that capture student interest by vividly responding to the "So what?" question of how delinquency theories apply in the real world.