Transfer to Adult Court/Trying Kids as Adults
Over the last ten years, nearly every state has changed its laws to
make it easier to prosecute youth as adults. As a result of these
changes, significantly more youth are tried as adults in the adult
criminal court and held in adult correctional facilities. Youth tried
in the adult criminal court face the same penalties as adults, including
the death penalty or life without parole; will receive little or no
education, mental health treatment, or rehabilitative programming; will
obtain an adult criminal record which may significantly limit their
future education and employment opportunities; and are at greater risk
of rape, assault and death in adult jails and prisons with adult
inmates. The
negative impact of these expanded state transfer law changes has most
seriously affected African American, Latino and Native American youth.
The "Fact Sheets" provides basic information on the transfer of youth to
the adult court and the impact on youth. The "Key Studies" highlights
major research on the impact of transfer of youth to the adult court.
The "Resources" list provides contact information for obtaining data on
conditions of confinement and national organizations actively involved
in advocacy efforts to improve conditions of confinement for youth.
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Building Blocks for Youth
For a fair and effective youth justice system
...a comprehensive effort to protect minority youth in the justice system
and to promote rational and effective juvenile justice policies...
