Juvenile justice is a specialized socio-legal framework and field of academic inquiry dedicated to understanding and responding to behavior by individuals below the age of legal majority that is proscribed by law or indicative of a need for state intervention. This research domain investigates the etiology of juvenile delinquency, the structure and processes of distinct legal systems and correctional institutions for youth, the efficacy and ethical considerations of various rehabilitative and punitive interventions, and the policy implications concerning youth crime prevention, accountability, and welfare.