National Context In the United States there are 4 current trends in the justice system, that are helping to better the way
we treat juvenile delinquents and how they are tried. 1. "Eleven states (Colorado, Idaho, Indiana, Maine, Nevada, Hawaii, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Texas, Oregon, and Ohio) have passed laws limiting states’ authority to house youth in adult jails and prisons. (As seen in Figure 1). 2. Four states (Connecticut, Illinois, Mississippi, and Massachusetts) have expanded their juvenile court jurisdiction so that older youth who previously would be automatically tried as adults are not prosecuted in adult criminal court. (As seen in Figure 2). 3. Twelve states (Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Nevada, Utah, Virginia, Washington, Ohio, Maryland, and Nevada) have changed their transfer laws making it more likely that youth will stay in the juvenile justice system. (As seen in Figure 3). |
4. Eight states (California, Colorado, Georgia, Indiana, Texas, Missouri, Ohio, and Washington) have changed their mandatory minimum sentencing laws to take into account the developmental differences between youth and adults, allow for post-
sentence review for youth facing juvenile life without parole or other sentencing reform for youth sentenced as adults." ( State Trends Legislative Victories from 2011-2013 , 2013) (As seen in Figure 4)
As a nation we are becoming more aware trough the suffering of the communities when there is youth incarcerated or tried as adults. Youth are starting to get more attention that they deserve, but this is not a victory; as a nation we still have automatic and mandatory transfers in some states causing unnecessary spending that we can avoid with violence prevention programs at an early age.
sentence review for youth facing juvenile life without parole or other sentencing reform for youth sentenced as adults." ( State Trends Legislative Victories from 2011-2013 , 2013) (As seen in Figure 4)
As a nation we are becoming more aware trough the suffering of the communities when there is youth incarcerated or tried as adults. Youth are starting to get more attention that they deserve, but this is not a victory; as a nation we still have automatic and mandatory transfers in some states causing unnecessary spending that we can avoid with violence prevention programs at an early age.