Health Group Statement of Support for Instituting a Minimum Age of Jurisdiction for Juvenile Justice Involvement

This health group statement from the American Academy of Pediatrics, American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, American Council for School Social Work, American Psychological Association, Clinical Social Work Association, National Association of Social Workers and Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine endorses a minimum age of at least 12 years old for juvenile court jurisdiction.

From the statement: “It is essential that—guided by scientific evidence, ethics, and common sense—policymakers support policies and enact legislation that establishes a minimum age of at least 12 years for juvenile justice system involvement to protect the health and well-being of children and young adolescents. We also advocate for policies to ensure that all children and adolescents, including those who may have come in contact with the juvenile justice system absent minimum age legislation, have access to the full range of social supports and services they need for healthy development. The recommendation for a minimum age of juvenile justice involvement is intended to apply to federal, state, and local jurisdictions.

The justice system fails the youngest members of our society, and action to remedy this systemic failing by instituting a minimum age of jurisdiction is an important step toward a more developmentally appropriate justice system for young people and a healthier society for all.”