Virginia Crime Panel Extends Juvenile Justice Study

Back to HomePage
Updated: 9:51 AM Dec 16, 2009 Virginia Crime Panel Extends Juvenile Justice Study RICHMOND, Va. (AP) Children's advocates are disappointed that the Virginia State Crime Commission is taking another year to study the transfer of juvenile offenders to the adult justice system. Posted: 1:21 PM Dec 15, 2009 Email Address: news@newsplex.com

Font Size:

December 15, 2009

Children's advocates are disappointed that the Virginia State Crime Commission is taking another year to study the transfer of juvenile offenders to the adult justice system.

"We're fully confident that the evidence supports what we're asking for, which is bringing more fairness to the system, making sure that we only use this when it's absolutely necessary, and not for kids who would be better served elsewhere," said Andrew Block, of the Legal Age Justice Center.

The commission, which has studied the issue for three years, said Tuesday that it still needs more information. State Del. David Albo said that without more research, proposals to revamp the system have no chance of passing.

Lianne Rozzell says there's also no chance children's advocates will quit fighting for change. Rozzell is executive director of Families and Allies of Virginia's Youth.

Advocates say reforms passed in the mid-1990s give prosecutors too much authority to try juveniles as adults. They say this puts juveniles at risk of assault in jail, increases their chances of re-offending, and disproportionately affects blacks.

Latest Comments

Posted by: Toni Location: Charlottesvillle on Dec 16, 2009 at 12:15 AM

This is a big mistake putting Jueveniles in a adult facility Are there not pedifiles in the adult jails these childrenn will nerver have a choice if I had the founding I would open a facility for the youth that commit the juveniles to get them a better chance in life its apparent that some of these young adults are in the wrong environment and need structure if any one is interested in helping to do something before we end up having children in jail with violent criminals I will give you my email and see if we can get support from the community not all jueviniles are bad they just do not have structure, antoinette_marie711@yahoo.com

Click here to post or read all 1 comments.