December 20, 2007 - The Washington Supreme Court has ruled that a Yakima Juvenile Court Commissioner improperly used the court’s “inherent” contempt powers to sentence children to up to 60 days in jail for running away from foster care.
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NCYL Challenges Court Decision on Prisoners with Unmet Mental Health Needs
February 20, 2007 - NCYL has joined nine other national and state organizations as amici curiae in Shook v. El Paso, challenging a district court's refusal to certify a class of prisoners who have serious unmet mental health needs.
Juvenile justice systems around California are awakening to the needs of a new population: girls. As girls enter the delinquency system in ever-increasing numbers, several California counties have established new delinquency courts and treatment programs tailored specifically to girls and their unique issues and needs.
NCYL Senior Attorney Pat Arthur, in collaboration with DYS, has co-authored a report that provides a framework for reform. The report recommends a series of goals, with the focus on reducing reliance on incarceration and increasing community-based programs – programs proven to be far more appropriate and effective for serving youth in trouble. See Report
There is growing public awareness that is it unjust to hold juvenile offenders to the same standard of blame as adults. Scientific research shows that youth do not have the same capacity as adults to use reasoned, mature judgment, or to control impulsive behavior.
This legislation (SB 1616) would require California's Department of Human Services and Division of Juvenile Justice to help youth in state custody get SSI and Medi-Cal benefits available to them immediately upon their release from custody. The bill was passed by the California Legislature, but was vetoed by Governor Schwarzenneger.
NCYL has forged an innovative partnership with the nation's first Juvenile Mental Health Court - Santa Clara (CA) County's Court for the Individualized Treatment of Adolescents (CITA).
NCYL provides trainings on: - The rights of juveniles in government custody, including conditions of confinement
- Development of models to provide civil advocacy as a component of representing youth in the juvenile justice system
- Systemic litigation to improve juvenile public defense systems
- Complex class litigation skills
For more information please contact Pat Arthur.
Training Materials:
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