Just & Caring Communities

Dear John, 

 

Young people caught in adult and juvenile legal systems are disproportionately poor, Black, and Brown. Despite children’s rights to safety, developmentally appropriate supports, and education, legal systems are not balancing the need for restoration and public safety, with the right to grow up with dignity and joy. These institutions continue to fail our nation’s youth and their families. At Children’s Defense Fund, we contend for the transformation of juvenile and adult legal systems in multiple states, including New York and California. Investing in young people is true community safety. 

This week, CDF-NY launched its Whole Child, Whole Community Week of Action, highlighting critical budget needs of children, youth, and families and the investments New York must make to put marginalized communities first. Investments into these communities are crucial to ensure that marginalized youth stay out of the juvenile and adult legal system.  

 

Take action this week to ensure youth justice is a priority in the New York State Budget! 

 

In 2021, CDF-NY, in coalition, successfully lobbied and advocated to end the arrest and prosecution of nearly all children under the age of 12 in New York State, keeping the youngest children in the state out of the juvenile legal system. Instead, children and their families are connected to community-based supports. The law went into effect late last year. 

 

In 2022, through CDF-NY's lobbying and advocacy with partners, New York State legislators reached a budgetary agreement preserving the protections of the Raise the Age law, which “raised the age” of criminal responsibility. The legislation gives most 16- and 17-year-olds access to Family Court rather than treating them as adults. 

 

CDF-NY is currently co-leading a coalition with young people across the state to pass the Youth Justice & Opportunities Act (YJ&O) and the Right 2 Remain Silent bills. By passing YJ&O, New York has the chance to lead the nation by protecting the futures of young people up through age 25, enhancing community well-being, and providing adolescents and emerging adults the opportunity to move forward in their lives without the barrier of a criminal conviction. The Right 2 Remain Silent Bill would require that a child or adolescent under 18 first consult with counsel before any police questioning can take place. Right 2 Remain Silent is about making the Constitutional rights of children a reality. 

CDF-CA is advocating for redirecting resources from outdated strategies into community-based youth development. 

 

CDF-CA’s work resulted in reducing the school-based probation budget by over $4 million in Los Angeles County. This money was redirected to the Ready to Rise program, which invests state funds into diversion and youth development programs. 

 

In addition to redirecting state funds, CDF-CA has been vigilant in making sure young people who are in California’s juvenile legal system are treated humanely. CDF-CA organized, pushed, and achieved historic approval for increased oversight and inspections around conditions of confinement. A large part was focused on demanding that probation police stop pepper spraying children and youth. CDF-CA Director of Youth Justice Policy, Milinda Kakani, spoke with KPCC’s Airtalk about the illegal and immoral use of chemical agents against children. 

 

Click here to listen to hear interview! 

Our young people deserve just and caring communities that center their needs, reduce contact with punitive systems, and build true community safety. With your support, we can continue the work to build on these victories for justice. 

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