[Illinois] J.B.H. v. Knox County – U.S. Statement of Interest
On October 24, 2024, the U.S. Department of Justice filed a Statement of Interest in a federal class action lawsuit challenging conditions of confinement at the Mary Davis Detention Home in Galesburg, Illinois. The DOJ asserted, “The federal government, too, has repeatedly recognized that children are developmentally and constitutionally different than adults and that excessive…
Read MoreABA CILA Fact Sheet: Unaccompanied Children at the Border
Youth Risk Behavior Survey: Data Summary & Trends Report 2013-2023
State v. T.S., 255 N.E.3d 801 (Ohio Ct. App. 2024)
In State v. T.S., the Ohio Court of Appeals ruled the juvenile court abused its discretion when it transferred T.S.’s case to adult court pursuant to R.C. 2152.12(B) (Ohio’s discretionary transfer law). The court found the evidence presented in the transfer hearing, did not support a finding that T.S. was not amenable to rehabilitation within the juvenile system. The court offers the following language in support of its decision:: “Few,…
Read MoreEthnic Racial Identity Development Excerpts from Expert’s Mitigation Report
Youth Reoffending: Prevalence and Predictive Risk Factors in Two States
Sample Dispositional Memorandum in Support of Community-Based Services
A sample disposition and mitigation memorandum filed in a juvenile court in Ohio.
Read MoreSample MOU Between County Juvenile Court and Mental Health Service Provider
A sample memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the Hamilton County Juvenile Court detention center and a community mental health service provider.
Read MoreLegal Service Provider List for Unaccompanied Children (Texas)
Racial and Ethnic Disparities in the Processing of Delinquency Cases, 2005–2022
Annotated Bibliography: Racial Trauma
Annotated Bibliography: Policing as Trauma
This resource was created as part of the 2022 Racial Justice Training Series, co-hosted with the Georgetown Juvenile Justice Clinic & Initiative. Advocates and experts gathered each month to discuss a chapter of Prof. Kristin Henning’s Book The Rage of Innocence: How America Criminalizes Black Youth. Watch recordings of the monthly webinars and see other…
Read MoreTrends and Characteristics of Delinquency Cases Handled in Juvenile Court, 2022
This one-page infographic from the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention illustrates trends in delinquency cases in 2022.
Read MoreUnlocking Your Community’s Hidden Strengths: A Guidebook to Community Asset Mapping
Participatory Asset Mapping
Search Institute: 4 S’s Interview
State in the Interest of E.S., 285 A.3d 294 (N.J. 2022)
The New Jersey Supreme Court held the Family Part did not abuse its discretion when it decided to hear the State’s request for waiver motion before E.S.’s suppression motion. The court declined to adopt a bright line rule for the order in which a Family Part should hear waiver and suppression motions but instead provided…
Read MoreNational Youth Defense Townhall Notes
On August 29, 2024, the Gault Center hosted a National Youth Defense Townhall focused on the role of youth defenders in transforming the juvenile legal system. The Townhall outlined a theory of change rooted in cultivating critical connections to harness our collective power to transform systems of harm and punishment. In attendance were nearly 200…
Read MoreIn re J.M.B. 2025 Or. LEXIS 1740 (Or. 2025)
The Oregon Court of Appeals held that the court must provide constitutionally adequate notice to a young person of a requirement to appear in person rather than remotely before making a finding of “failure to appear”. The court stated in relevant part: “Fundamental principles of due process require that an individual be provided with notice…
Read MoreState v. Quijas, 457 P.3d 1241 (Wash. Ct. App. 2020)
The Court of Appeals of Washington remanded a transfer case to the superior court and offered the following language in support. “Our Supreme Court has made clear that trial courts must be vigilant in addressing the threat of explicit or implicit racial bias that affects a defendant’s right to a fair trial. We hold that…
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