While similar to the adult system, the juvenile justice system does have some unique characteristics. Many of these unique differences are the result of protections that have been identified as necessary to ensure youthful offenders have the best chance at leading productive lives as adults.

Compose an essay of that begins by briefly discussing the evolution of the juvenile justice system since colonial times in the United States. Continue your response by identifying and evaluating some of the key reasons juvenile offenders require a different level of protections within the criminal justice system than those provided to adult offenders.