1899

Establishment of first juvenile court in Chicago, with treatment and sentencing of girls (mainly immigrant working-class girls) based primarily on suspected sexual behaviors. Female moral crimes included prostitution, illegitimate pregnancy, suspected promiscuity, and staying out past curfew. More than 90% of convicted female delinquents classified as “moral offenders” during early 20th c. (Abrams & Curran, 52-53).