Collaboration
School-based arrests have long made up a substantial number of cases in the juvenile legal system. This is particularly true for Black, Native/Indigenous, and Latino students; immigrant students, students with disabilities, LGBTQ+ students, and other historically marginalized students. Despite significant decreases in the rate of serious crimes and violence on school campuses over the past…
On August 12, 2021, NJDC and the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges hosted a discussion with noted professors Kristin Henning of Georgetown Law and Geoff Ward of Washington University in St. Louis, about the historical impact of racism and bias on the juvenile court system and the trauma that flows to youth…
We all want young people to thrive. But referring them to the juvenile court system often gets in the way. Learn how to help youth mature into thriving adults. Check out www.njdc.info/futuresinthebalance. Video by Next Day Animations (www.nextdayanimations.com).
Involvement with the delinquency system—including arrests, charges that get dismissed, and adjudications— can create obstacles to a young person’s success. Many youth experience overwhelming hurdles because their juvenile records are available to the public, appear on background checks, or create long-term debt from fines and fees, which can result in denial of employment, housing, loans,…
The words we choose have a significant impact on the young people we serve. We may inadvertently use language laden with bias, disapproval, and negative judgment that can impact youths’ perceptions of themselves. Our language can also impact our own thinking and decision-making. In Part I of this guide, we hope to break down some…
Referring young people to the legal system can negatively impact their life outcomes as it excludes them from school, disconnecting them from learning and engaging in prosocial activities. There may be times when schools need to seek assistance from law enforcement, but for the vast majority of situations, a variety of levers exist outside of…
This bench card is intended to assist judges in considering the consequences of juvenile court involvement that may adversely affect public safety and positive youth development. The bench card is not intended to impinge upon or alter constitutional or statutory responsibilities of the court. Judges and attorneys have different ethical responsibilities but share the goal…
This document, developed by the National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR) and NJDC, is a supplement to the original checklist and is focused specifically on advocating for the safety and well-being of transgender, gender nonconforming, and intersex (TGNCI) young people housed in secure and non-secure facilities. TGNCI young people are vulnerable to the same harms…
Los Diez Principios Fundamentales Para Prestar Representación Legal de Alta Cali dad a Delincuentes Juveniles dentro del Sistema de Defensores Públicos provee el criterio para implementar al sistema de defensores públicos la decisión de la corte en el caso In re Gault. Estos Principios son una guía para que los directores de las oficinas de…
The United States Supreme Court has cited a comprehensive body of research on adolescent development in its opinions examining youth sentencing, culpability, and custody. Several key characteristics of youth have been noted in each of these opinions and must be considered in judicial decision-making and interactions with youth in court. We encourage judges to read…
Developmental research shows that behaviors and characteristics common in adolescence are consistent across all races, ethnicities, and socioeconomic groups. These studies, controlling for race and ethnicity, found no significant difference in key features of adolescent development, such as impulsivity, sensation seeking, susceptibility to peer influence, and a limited ability to plan ahead or anticipate consequences.…
Juvenile courts across the country charge young people and their families bail, fines, fees, costs, and restitution without regard to children’s inability to pay. Such financial assessments are common in criminal courts, but in juvenile courts the consequences of such practices are even more detrimental, as they are exacerbated by children’s financial dependence. Children may…
Models for Change is an effort to create successful and replicable models of juvenile justice reform through targeted investments in key states, with core support from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation. Models for Change seeks to accelerate the progress toward a more efficient, fair, and developmentally sound juvenile justice system that holds…
Benchcard on supporting LGBTQIA+ youth involved in the juvenile court system.
Every jurisdiction is different and has different resources and laws governing whether children have access to counsel and at what stage in the proceedings. The recommendations that follow may be more difficult to implement in some jurisdictions than others. It is hoped that to the extent the recommendations cannot be fully implemented within your jurisdiction,…
This resource brief addresses the unique considerations associated with representing dual status youth and offers practice tips for juvenile defenders to help navigate the terrain. This resource brief also explores the growing reform trend of multi-system collaboration and coordination to improve outcomes for dual status youth and offers guidance in this arena as well.