Status, Issues, and Challenges of Chinese Juvenile Justice

Given the size of China’s juvenile population and the rapid social transformation in recent decades, researchers and policy makers are paying increased attention to juvenile justice–related issues. This article begins with an overview of the Chinese juvenile justice national data, followed by an in-depth discussion on the principles and mixed influences, and the unique juvenile justice process in China. Drawing upon the accumulated research on the subject matter, we highlight the most significant challenges such as rising crime among migrant youth, reforms within the criminal justice agencies, and issues of legitimacy facing the Chinese juvenile justice system today. Recommendations are made for future research and policy