What is one key goal of the juvenile justice system aside from punishment?

One key goal of the juvenile justice system is to facilitate rehabilitation and reintegration into the community. This approach recognizes that many juveniles may engage in delinquent behavior due to various factors, including social, economic, and psychological influences. Instead of focusing solely on punishment, the juvenile justice system emphasizes the importance of addressing these underlying issues through interventions that help juveniles develop the skills and support they need to avoid future offenses.

Rehabilitation can take many forms, including counseling, education, and community service, and aims to guide juveniles toward making positive choices and reintegrating successfully into society. The objective is not just to hold them accountable for their actions but to equip them with the tools to lead productive lives and minimize the likelihood of reoffending.

In contrast, the other options present goals that are not aligned with the rehabilitative ethos of the juvenile justice system. Incarcerating all juveniles is contrary to the belief in rehabilitation; legal representation is a necessary rights-based provision but does not directly speak to broader system goals; and labeling juveniles as offenders is detrimental to the rehabilitation process, as it can lead to stigmatization and hinder their reintegration efforts.