Let’s Redirect the Youth in Ohio

 

An Ohio Supreme Court task force has reviewed local courts' diversion of juveniles. It recommends that courts formalize their practices when redirecting juveniles to intervention services before an initial court appearance. Diversion is an informal alternative that redirects youths away from involvement in the juvenile justice system to address the root causes of delinquent behavior. These causes may include food and housing insecurity, joblessness in the home, inadequate educational resources, and unmet mental health needs. By examining these root causes, juveniles are still held accountable for their behavior without the court system imposing any formal legal sanction or confinement. Research shows that youth who are formally involved with the juvenile justice system and those who spend time in detention are far more likely to engage in criminal activities as adults. To create written guidelines for the diversion process, a survey of juvenile court judges conducted for the task force indicates that 49% have written criteria for these practices, and 35% have written procedures for notifying victims when a juvenile is diverted at this stage.

Check out the full report and recommendations on the Supreme Court’s website.

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