Youth Justice: A Guidebook for Legislators

This guidebook from National Conference of State Legislatures provides information on current youth justice policy at the federal and state level exploring a range of youth justice policy areas rom age of juvenile court jurisdiction and transfer into adult court to diversion and probation. 

 From the introduction: 

“Today, a sound body of youth justice law now exists across the country and political spectrum based on research and evidence that is purposeful, sustainable and focused on the multiple aspects of adolescent development.

With more and better information on adolescent development, youth justice policies have become increasingly research-based from 2005 to 2025. Overarching administrative laws have created commissions or legislative committees to evaluate and make recommendations for states’ juvenile justice systems. State legislatures have enacted prevention and intervention statutes that address truancy, provide early intervention services for at-risk youth, reform detention and distinguish juvenile from adult offenders. Recent laws also provide due process protections for young people, reduce collateral consequences, and provide for successful juvenile reentry into the community after incarceration.

This guidebook is designed to provide a solid foundation of information on today’s youth justice issues to help inform and guide policymakers in effective approaches to youth justice policy that balance rehabilitation, accountability and public safety.”