Where and when was the first juvenile court established in the United States?

• A. New York City, New York, 1905
• B. Los Angeles, California, 1900
• C. Cook County, Illinois, 1899
• D. Chicago, Illinois, 1888

Answer: (C)

The early test here is about the origin of the juvenile court concept. The first such court was created in Cook County, Illinois, in 1899, under the Illinois Juvenile Court Act. This marked a shift to handling youths separately from the adult criminal system, with a focus on rehabilitation, welfare, and individualized disposition for delinquency, dependency, and neglect cases. The court brought together judges, probation officers, and social workers to tailor outcomes to the needs of the young person, rather than relying on adult punitive processes.

That date and place are earlier than the other options: New York City in 1905, Los Angeles in 1900, or a Chicago entity in 1888, none of which establish the first juvenile court. This makes Cook County in 1899 the correct choice and the defining starting point for the juvenile court movement in the United States.