Juvenile Justice

Rights Work: UChicago constitutional law course brings together incarcerated youths, law students

The eight-week class is designed to give incarcerated youths an opportunity to consider their rights while exposing the law students to the younger students’ worldview through in-class discussions on topics that include freedom of speech, due process and reproductive freedom, along with weekly mentoring sessions.

May 31, 2023 8:12 AM CDT

Former Cohen Milstein partner who led firm’s sex-abuse team charged with child-porn possession

Cohen Milstein Sellers & Toll has fired a Florida partner after he was charged with possession of child pornography.

Apr 3, 2023 9:30 AM CDT

Judge Ernestine Gray created a model court that put New Orleans children and families first

“You are impacting lives in a critical way,” says Judge Ernestine Gray about working in juvenile court. “And if you are talking about children who are growing up, it’s going to help determine where they are in the future. I don’t want to look back and say, ‘If I had done X for this child, maybe they could’ve done great things.’ So in the moment where you are, do the good work.”

Apr 1, 2023 1:20 AM CDT

Many young people arrested for Chicago carjackings have been exposed to violence daily, lawyer and pastor says

As rises in Chicago carjackings continue to increase fear among many residents, Cliff Nellis, an attorney and pastor who founded the Lawndale Christian Legal Center, says his nonprofit group represents a fair amount of young people charged with the crime.

Mar 27, 2023 8:44 AM CDT

Arrests without formal charges or convictions no longer have to be disclosed by would-be lawyers in New York

The New York Supreme Court’s appellate division is whittling down the types of justice system involvement that would-be lawyers have to disclose when applying for bar admission. The changes are intended “to better promote equity and fairness in the character and fitness interview process.”

Mar 20, 2023 9:35 AM CDT

Federal judge faces probe after he orders handcuffing of 13-year-old girl in gallery in ‘scared straight’ approach

A federal judge faces an ethics probe initiated by the judiciary after a transcript indicated that he ordered the handcuffing of a 13-year-old girl during a probation revocation hearing for her father. The allegations are against Judge Roger Benitez.

Mar 1, 2023 11:15 AM CST

South Carolina laws that prosecute kids for ‘disorderly’ conduct are unconstitutional, 4th Circuit says

A federal appeals court on Wednesday struck down two South Carolina laws that punish elementary and secondary school students who act “disorderly,” use “obscene” language or “act in an obnoxious manner” in or near a school.

Feb 23, 2023 3:22 PM CST

Examining juvenile crime and punishment in songs

In the years since its initial release, “I Hung My Head” has been covered by both Johnny Cash and Bruce Springsteen. In fact, if you perform a Google search for the track’s title, it’s Cash’s version that appears first and foremost.

Feb 13, 2023 8:41 AM CST

Judge accused of using role as charity trustee to donate money to courts, juvenile justice center

An ethics complaint has accused an Indiana judge of using his role as a sole trustee for a charitable foundation to pay for tile work and car purchases provided to local courts by his father’s companies.

Feb 8, 2023 3:10 PM CST

Ex-judges ordered to pay more than $200M to victims of juvenile detention corruption scheme

A federal judge on Tuesday ordered two former Pennsylvania judges who orchestrated the “kids for cash” corruption scandal to pay more than $200 million to hundreds of their victims.

Aug 18, 2022 10:41 AM CDT

Appeals judge accused of excessive delays agrees to retire

The presiding justice of California’s Third District Court of Appeal has agreed to retire and accept a public admonishment to resolve ethics allegations that he “engaged in a pattern of delay” in deciding cases.

Jun 6, 2022 8:50 AM CDT

Child, 5, lacked intent for prosecution for alleged attack that sent teacher to hospital, experts say

Florida law provides that anyone suspected of a forcible felony, such as aggravated assault, can be prosecuted—no matter what their age is.

Mar 14, 2022 8:36 AM CDT

Thousands of confidential ethics and juvenile records are published online

A website called judyrecords.com has published thousands of confidential court records from across the nation, including private ethics records in California and juvenile court records from several states, according to reporting.

Mar 2, 2022 11:21 AM CST

Illinois teen was coerced into false confession, family says; was unique state law violated?

An Illinois law that took effect in January bars police from lying to minors during interrogations, but it didn’t help a wrongfully accused juvenile, his lawyer says. Martell Williams, 15, was charged with attempted murder and aggravated battery after he confessed in February to shooting a Dollar General clerk in…

Feb 28, 2022 9:15 AM CST

Presume children will attend their dependency hearings, and help make it happen, ABA House urges

Government entities should enact, and courts should enforce, laws establishing a presumption of child presence in all dependency proceedings, the ABA House of Delegates urged Monday.

Feb 14, 2022 1:28 PM CST