This document discusses the history and philosophy of the juvenile justice system in the United States. It covers the origins of distinguishing between juvenile and adult offenders, the establishment of the first juvenile courts in the late 19th century, and key Supreme Court cases from the mid-20th century that extended due process rights to juveniles. It also examines more recent trends like eroding the distinctions between juvenile and adult justice systems, and the rise of restorative justice approaches that focus on accountability, community protection, and competency development for young offenders.