Homelessness and housing/placement instability for current foster youth, youth in extended foster care and former foster youth, are critical issues facing transition-aged youth (TAY) (ages 16-25) in California. Despite broad protections and housing/placement entitlements for youth, many youth are involuntarily exited from transitional housing before reaching the maximum age or duration of participation This resource provides […]
Final Comments on PEP Proposed Regulations
Fact Sheet: Transitional Housing Program-Plus (THP-Plus)
Transitional Housing Program-Plus (THP-Plus) is a transitional housing program designed to provide housing and supportive transitional services to former foster youth who are 18 to 25 years of age, including youth who were placed in foster care by juvenile probation. The dual components of THP-Plus include (1) the housing subsidy and services facilitated by the county and (2) youth’s […]
Policy Alert: THP-Plus Program Expansion: A Resource for Current and Former Foster Youth in California
The Transitional Housing Program-Plus (THP-Plus) is a transitional housing program that provides housing and supportive services to former foster youth who are 18 to 25 years-old, including youth who were placed in foster care by the juvenile justice court. This resource for current and former foster youth provides an overview of the THP-Plus program and […]
An Overview of FYI/FUP Vouchers: A Resource for Current and Former Foster Youth in California
The Foster Youth to Independence (FYI) Initiative and Family Unification Program (FUP) are Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) programs available to Public Housing Authorities that work in partnership with Public Child Welfare Agencies (PCWAs). This resource provides an overview of FYI and FUP for young people who are leaving or have left foster care.
Maximizing Housing Entitlements for Current and Former Foster Youth
Homelessness both during extended foster care and after leaving extended foster care are critical issues facing system-impacted transition-aged youth (TAY). This resource shows how a youth may maximize their time using housing options available to current and former foster youth in California.
Voting Rights of Youth in Juvenile Facilities
Research on Youth Incarceration
Calling Out the Harms of Incarceration: Using Research to Fight Confinement of Youth
Building Community Power in Youth Justice Reform – The Brown Act and Juvenile Realignment
This resource explains how public meeting laws under the Brown Act apply to local juvenile justice decision-making and planning bodies, and in particular to the realignment process in California. The Brown Act laws protect the community’s right to participate in important juvenile justice decision making currently taking place in each county across the state. This […]
BSCC Juvenile Facility Regulations Revisions – Quick Facts
Building on the Momentum: How Appropriate Implementation of Community Based Supports Can Help Youth with Complex Care Needs
Outreach Handout for QLSPs
CLEAR v. FRESNO Settlement Agreement – Attachments
CLEAR v. FRESNO Settlement Agreement
CLEAR v Fresno et al
Juvenile Justice Overview Fact Sheet
Juvenile Justice Overview Fact Sheet
Title IV-E for Youth in the Juvenile Justice System Fact Sheet
Title IV-E for Youth in the Juvenile Justice System
YLC Policy Bulletin: Federal Financial Aid
Congress passes legislation that will make it easier for students to get financial aid! Congress has passed legislation that will greatly simplify the financial aid application process by 2023. with specific benefits for youth with prior involvement in the child welfare and juvenile justice systems. Changes include: Shortening and simplifying the Free Application for Federal […]
Financial Aid for Juvenile Justice System-Involved Youth
This resource is meant to help youth who are about to graduate from higher school and/or who are under the age of 26 with juvenile justice system involvement maximize the amount of financial aid they receive to attend college. The guide covers what financial aid is and how to get it, offers tips for troubleshooting […]
Youth Returning to the Community from Juvenile Justice Facilities: A Guide for Advocates
No child should remain in custody due to the lack of a reentry plan. Now more than ever, the juvenile justice system must make every possible effort to return detained youth to their families and/or home communities. This guide is for advocates working to release detained youth and support them in the community during the […]
CA Assembly Bill 1354 – Fact Sheet
This fact sheet provides basic information about Assembly Bill 1354, signed into law in 2019 and effective on January 1, 2020. The AB 1354 fact sheet describes which youth are eligible for online college courses, what programs are available, and who is responsible for providing them. The fact sheet can help youth and parents understand the programs […]
CA Senate Bill 716 – Fact Sheet
This fact sheet provides basic information about Senate Bill 716, signed into law in 2019 and effective on January 1, 2020. The SB 716 fact sheet describes which youth are eligible for online college courses, what programs are available, and who is responsible for providing them. The fact sheet can help youth and parents understand the programs […]
Education Rights & Responsibilities Toolkit for Juvenile Justice System Involved Youth
This toolkit provides education-related information and resources regarding the rights of juvenile justice system involved youth and the responsibilities of system stakeholders. Stakeholders can use the toolkit to understand their obligations in meeting the education needs of youth with juvenile justice system involvement. Parents and advocates can use it to support youths’ education-related rights and […]
A Positive Youth Justice System
The National Institute for Criminal Justice Reform (NICJR) is designing a transformed juvenile justice system that is rooted in communities, that is based on restorative justice practices, and that invests in youth, families, and communities. This NICJR report lays out ten steps to transform the juvenile justice system to improve outcomes for youth and protect […]
Closing the Extracurriculars Gap: Prioritizing Extracurricular Activities as a Key Intervention for Children and Youth in Foster Care and Juvenile Justice
This Youth Law Center report describes the benefits of extracurricular participation for youth, families, and communities; highlights the legal and policy supports for extracurricular participation for system-involved youth; lists system barriers to extracurricular participation; explores ways to overcome those barriers; and makes recommendations to increase extracurricular participation for system-involved youth. The report notes that extracurriculars […]
A.M. v. Holmes Amicus Brief
Amicus brief filed with US Supreme Court in A.M. v. Holmes, challenging the arrest of a 13 year old New Mexico boy for “fake burping” and laughing in class (criminalizing normal behavior)
SB 1143 Support Letter – Request for Signature
Letter to Governor Brown requesting his signature; a bill limiting use of solitary confinement for juveniles in detention in California.
In re Gault – Agenda
Agenda for August 5, 2015 ABA conference on In re Gault
In Re Gault – Conference Flyer
Flyer for ABA Conference on “Fulfilling the Promise of Gault – Due Process and Effective advocacy for Youth in the 21st Century. YLC is co-sponsor of this along with ABA Commission on Youth at Risk, ABA Criminal Justice Section, National Juvenile Defender Center and National Center for Youth Law.
Juvenile Court Student Transition Statewide Work Group Report and Recommendations to the Legislature
Assembly Bill 2276 (Bocanegra, 2014) required a statewide work group to study successful transition programs and to develop recommendations of how to better support youth transitioning from juvenile court schools back to schools in their communities. This report highlights recommendations that came out of three meetings of the work group, composed of stakeholders from probation, […]
Educators Routinely Ignore a Captive Audience- Schools in Juvenile Justice Get an F
Educators Routinely Ignore a Captive Audience – Schools in Juvenile Hall Get An F. – Article reporting on a study conducted by the Youth Law Center about the failure of juvenile court schools to educate youth.
Educational Injustice: Barriers to Achievement and Higher Education for Youth in California Juvenile Court Schools
Report by the Youth Law Center of the of the barriers to education for youth confined to detention facilities within California’s juvenile justice system. In the report, Youth Law Center examines areas of challenge for the system and fundamental ways in which court schools have missed opportunities to support youth in reaching their goals and […]
Shackling Juvenile in Transportation: Hobbling Fairness
Blog written by YLC Staff Attorney Sue Burrell regarding practice of shackling youth being transferred from juvnenile facilities to court in Contra Costa County.
Locked Up and Alone
Article exploring solitary confinement in juvenile facilities against the backdrop of SB 124 (Leno), currently pending in the California Legislature.
Collateral Consequences of Juvenile Court – Boulders on the Road to Good Outcomes
Article by YLC staff attorney Sue Burrell focuses on the damage caused by collateral consequences of juvenile court proceedings – the predictable as well as unanticipated impacts on young people’s ability to move forward in their lives and offers nine suggested ways to reduce collateral consequences. The article appears as a chapter in the published […]
CA Supreme Court Opinion in R.V.
CA Supreme Court Decision in in re R.V. – decision reversed a lower court decision which had found a 16 year-old Orange County boy competent to stand trial. The case raised two issues of first impression, including the question of who has the burden of proof in showing incompetence, and also, what the standard of […]
Letter to Santa Clara Board of Supervisors
Letter from YLC to Santa Clara Board of Supervisors opposing use of pepper spray in juvenile hall.
San Diego City Beat “Legislation seeks to end isolation in juvenile facilities”
Article in San Diego City Beat on SB 124 (Leno), a in the California legislature that would limit the use of isolation in juvenile facilities in California,
AB 388: What Group Home Staff Need to Know
Fact Sheet on AB 388: What Group Home Staff Need to Know. AB 388, which takes effect January 1, 2015, is a new law specifically intended to reduce the frequency of law enforcement involvement and delinquency petitions arising from incidents at group homes.
AB 388: What Youth Advocates Need to Know
Fact Sheet on AB 388: What Youth Advocates Need to Know. AB 388, a new law which takes effect January 1, 2015, is specifically intended to reduce the frequency of law enforcement involvement and delinquency petitions arising from incidents at group homes.
AB 388: New Protections for Youth In Group Homes
Fact Sheet on AB 388, a new law taking effect January 1, 2015, designed to prevent unnecessary law enforcement involvement in group homes. What Youth Need to know about the new law.
AB 388: What Social Workers Need to Know
Fact sheet for social workers on AB 388: a new law taking effect January 1, 2015, designed to prevent unnecessary policy involvement in group homes and reduce the use of locked detention before trial for foster youth.
Sticker Shock: Calculating the Full Price Tag for Youth Incarceration
Report by the Justice Policy Institute outlining the costs of juvenile incarceration.
Juvenile Justice Can Be Less Expensive and More Effective
Op-ed by YLC Staff Attorney Sue Burrell on the cost of juvenile detention published by the Sacramento Bee
Prison for Teen Who Lit “Agender” Youth’s Skirt on Fire Thwarts Healing
Blog, by Youth Law Center Staff Attorney Sue Burrell, for the Huffington Post, on the sentencing of a teen who was tried as an adult.
Op-Ed: Incarcerating Disturbed Youth Is a Flawed Response
YLC staff attorney Sue Burrell, wrote an op ed piece for the CT Mirror, Incarcerating Disturbed Youth is a Flawed Response (LINK to uploaded article), published September 22, 2014. The piece follows Connecticut’s decisions to lock a transgender teenager, first in an adult women’s facility in Connecticut, and then in a boys’ institution. The piece […]
SF Gate (AP).Groups Seeks Probe Into Pepper Spray Use
AP article appearing in SFGate.com on Complaint filed with DOJ over use of pepper spray in San Diego juvenile detention facilities.
SD Tribune article – Pepper Spray, Searches Draw Complaint
Article in San Diego Union Tribune on Complaint filed with DOJ over Use of Pepper Spray in San Diego juvenile detention centers.
San Diego City Beat – Civil Rights Groups Blast San Diego County Over Pepper Spray in Juvenile Halls
article in Sn Diego City Beat on DOJ complaint filed over pepper spray use in San Diego juvenile halls
San Diego Union Tribune (AP) – Groups Seek Probe Into Pepper Spray Use
Article appearing in the San Diego Union Tribune on complaint filed with DOJ by Youth Law Center and other groups on use of pepper spray on youth in San Diego juvenile detention facilities
San Diego City Beat “Civil Rights Groups Blast San Diego County over Pepper Spray in Juvenile Halls
Article by Dave Maass and Kelly Davis on DOJ Complaint filed by Youth Law Center over use of pepper spray in San Diego juvenile halls
Press Release
Press Release on DOJ Complaint Over Pepper Spray in San Diego Juvenile Halls
DOJ Complaint
Complaint to the Department of Justice over Pepper Spray and Mistreatment of Youth in San Diego Juvenile Halls.
Lawmaker Modifies Sex-Assault Bill Targeting Teens
Article in SF Gate regarding modification of SB 838 by removing two year mandatory minimum sentencing requirements
The Legislature’s Role in Juvenile Justice Reform: a California Example
PDF of blog by Sue Burrell written for the National Council on Crime and Delinquency’s website regarding the California Legislature’s role in fxing the State’s jvuenile justice system.
The Legislature’s Role in Juvenile Justice Reform: A California Example
Blog by Sue Burrell appearing on the website of National Council of Crime & Delinquency regarding California Legislature’s role in fixing state’s juvenile justice system.
Juvenile Justice Reform: Realigning Responsibilities
Realizing the state could not afford to comply with the Farrell consent decree, in 2007, policy-makers acted to reduce the number of youth offenders housed in state facilities by enacting realignment legislation which shifted responsibility to the counties for all but the most serious youth offenders. This major step had long been recommended by youth […]
Joint Informational Hearing on the California Youth Authority, May 16, 2000
In response to recent disclosures concerning the California Youth Authority, on May 16, 2000, the Senate and Assembly Public Safety Committees held a joint oversight hearing. The Committees heard eleven witnesses concluding with testimony from Robert Presley, Secretary of the Youth and Adult Correctional Agency and Jerry Harper, the newly appointed Director of the Youth […]
Violence-Prone Youth Authority Still Fails Its Children, Its Taxpayers – Daily Journal Forum Column
Article in the Daily Journal Forum Column about efforts to reform the California Youth Authority (DJJ) that began with the Prison Law Office filing Farrell v. Harper and that more needs to be done.
California Juvenile Justice Reform in the 21st Century (So Far)
This 2006 presentation at the California Public Defender Association meeting in Monterey covers changes at the California Youth Authority (DJJ) because of lawsuit, legislative efforts to introduce the Missouri model, and defender mobilization.
Letter to the Texas Juvenile Justice Department re Proposed Changes to Pepper Spray Regulations
This letter expresses YLC concerns regarding proposed changes to pepper spray regulations in Texas. It has a lot of background on legal and professional standards as well as the damage to youth caused by pepper spray
What Caregivers Need to Know about AB 12 for Probation Involved Youth: Getting & Staying Eligible – A Power Point Presentation
This power point covers planning issues caregivers need to consider before the youth’s 18th birthday including permanency options (guardianship, adoption, permanent planned living arrangements) and the impact of those options on extended supports under AB 12(extended foster care, Kin-GAP, AAP) and other benefits. Special issues relative caretakers face regarding placement orders and the impact of […]
What Caregivers Need to Know about AB 12 for Probation Involved Youth: Placements – Options, Limitations & Regulations – A Power Point Presentation
This power point covers the new foster family licensing regulations and placement options for youth 18 and older. It also covers the impact of SILPS (Supervised Independent Living Settings), Transitional Housing Programs, limitations on group home placements and other AB 12 placement provisions on youth and their kinship or foster family caregivers.
What Caregivers Need to Know about AB 12 for Probation Involved Youth: Transitioning to Independence – Supports and Other Benefits – A Power Point Presentation
This power point covers the supports and other benefits available to help foster youth working or participating in post-secondary education or training programs as they transition to independence. Post-secondary financial aid issues, Chafee grants, SSI and planning for youth with disabilities are also covered.
What Caregivers Need to Know about AB 12 for Probation Involved Youth: An Overview – A Power Point Presentation
This powerpoint provides an overview of AB 12 including eligibility, benefits, living settings, exit and reentry options as well as probation sanction-free jurisdictional alternatives for probation involved youth. It also includes information on how to overcome the common pitfalls and obstacles that probation-involved youth encounter in trying to access benefits under AB 12.
ACLU Sues Over Center’s “Cruel” Conditions
Rocky Mountain News article about the filing of E.R. v. McDonnell, a juvenile detention center conditions case, in which the Youth Law Center co-counseled.
State Settles Gilliam Lawsuit
Rocky Mountain News article about the settlement in E. R. v. McDonnell, a lawsuit in which the Youth Law Center co-counseled.
Judge Limits O.C.’s Use of Restraints on Youths
Orange County Register article about the results of the trial in Hollingsworth v. Orange County, a case in which the Youth Law Center co-counseled.
Judge Orders Reform at O.C. Juvenile Hall
LA Times article about the conclusion of the trial in our case, Hollingsworth v. Orange County.
Youth Prison System Sued Over Health Care
LA Times article about the filing of Morris v. Harper, a lawsuit against the California Youth Authority for providing substandard medical and mental health care.
Improvements Ordered in State Youth Prison Clinics
LA Times article about the Youth Law Center case, Wilber v. Warner (previously Morris v. Harper).
Gilliam Changes Welcome, but Delay Was Unforgivable
Denver Post op ed piece about E.R v. McDonnell, a case in which the Youth Law Center co-counseled.
Gilliam Youth Center Reform Plan Hailed
Denver Post article about the settlement reached in the case, E.R. v. McDonnell, where the Youth Law Center co-counseled
Crimes, Dress Codes and the Schoolhouse Door
Article about what is wrong with the Oakland gang clothing policy.
Challenging Lenthy Post-Disposition Commitments to Juvenile Halls
The purpose of this memorandum is to address ways to challenge the imposition of lengthy or extended post-disposition confinement, such as 200 or 300 days, in juvenile halls and to provide a resource for attorneys and advocates who are representing juvenile clients in this situation in California.
Ricardo M. – Cases on Commitment to Juvenile Hall
Cases on commitment to juvenile hall in chronological order. Note that the statutes have changed over time – especially W & I § 777, but also the purpose clause (W & I § 202). Also, some focus on what can be done as a probation condition, and others focus on required 726 removal or 730 […]
George T. Amicus
Amicus where George T., the teenager- in this case, was incarcerated for several months and made a ward of the court after giving his “dark poetry” to girls at school who interpreted it as threatening. Amicus argues the requisite elements for “criminal threat” simply were not present in this case.
SB 81 – Ten Point Tune Up
Hand out at the DJJ Realignment Symposium on SB 81.
SB 81 Ten Point Tune up – Power point Presentation
Power point presentation at the DJJ Realignment symposium on SB 81, realignment.
Trends and Challenges of Juvenile Justice Reform: Experiences of Three States – Power point Presentation
Panel discusses juvenile justice reform in Connecticut, California and Texas.
In re Sean W. Amicus
This is an amicus to a case that presents the question whether Senate Bill 459 (“S . B 459”) changed the law to give juvenile courts increased power to set maximum confinement time in cases involving Youth Authority commitments.
Youth with Developmental Disabilities in the Juvenile Justice System – Power point Presentation
This power point presentation summarizes the results of a survey of probation departments. It lists common problems as well as promising practices.
Collateral Consequences of Juvenile Delinquency Proceedings – Powerpoint Presentation
Power point presentation spells out what collateral consequences are and what needs to be done.
Summary of California Juvenile Collateral Consequences
This is a collateral consequences check list for youth who are in the juvenile justice system in California.
In re Greg F. Amicus
The question here is whether a juvenile court may dismiss a wardship petition in the interests of justice and commit a juvenile way to the Division of Juvenile Justice on the basis of a prior sustained petition, even though Welfare and Institutions Code section 733 prohibits commitment unless “the most recent offense alleged in any […]
Danny O. v. Bowman Judgment
Danny O. v. Bowman was a federal class action suit on behalf of all youth who are currently or in the future will be incarcerated at the State Youth Services Center in St. Anthony, Idaho. The suit challenged the defendants’ use of solitary confinement and restraints; education, medical, psychiatric and rehabilitative treatment and services and […]
Difficult to Place: Summary of Findings
This is a shorter version of the original report that presents the findings of Youth Law Center’s research into placement issues for juvenile justice youth with mental health needs in 10 California counties. The focus of the research was youth with mental health needs who have been ordered by the juvenile court to be placed […]
Shifting Values in Juvenile Justice – Daily Journal (December 21, 2010)
This is an op ed piece summing up juvenile justice reform in the first part of the 21st century. It takes the position that we are moving away from the punitive attitudes of the 1980’s and 1990’s and toward a vision for juvenile justice that is more in keepiing with what we now know about […]
JJDP Powerpoint Presentation
The Juvenile Justice Data Project was started in October 2004 and ended in 2007, as a joint effort by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (formerly the Youth and Adult Correctional Agency) and the Youth Law Center. The Juvenile Justice Data Project (JJDP)(formerly the California Juvenile Justice Accountability Project) is an outgrowth of the […]
Juvenile Justice Data Project Phase I Summary Report
The Juvenile Justice Data Project (JJDP) released the results of the first ever statewide survey of California’s juvenile justice system, providing a snapshot of 100,000 youth under the jurisdiction of both county probation departments and the state Division of Juvenile Justice (DJJ). Data was collected on youth in county probation departments, community intervention programs, county […]
Juvenile Justice Data Project, Phase 1 County by County Appendix
The Juvenile Justice Data Project (JJDP) released the results of the first ever statewide survey of California’s juvenile justice system, providing a snapshot of 100,000 youth under the jurisdiction of both county probation departments and the state Division of Juvenile Justice (DJJ). Data was collected on youth in county probation departments, community intervention programs, county […]
Juvenile Justice Data Project Phase 1: Survey of Interventions and Programs
The Juvenile Justice Data Project (JJDP) released the results of the first ever statewide survey of California’s juvenile justice system, providing a snapshot of 100,000 youth under the jurisdiction of both county probation departments and the state Division of Juvenile Justice (DJJ). Data was collected on youth in county probation departments, community intervention programs, county […]
The Dangers of Detention – PowerPoint Presentation
This powerpoint presentation highlights the negative impact of detention.
Proposition 21: Preventing or Abetting Crime (Interview with Sue Burrell (Daily Journal – December 13, 1999)
This is a December 13, 1999 Daily Journal article on Proposition 21, a voter inititative that dramatically changed juvenile law in California — primarily by making it easier to try youth in the adult system and by increasing sentences and enhancements for crimes. The Youth Law Center was actively engaged in trying to defeat the […]
Protocol for Competence in California Juvenile Justice Proceedings Revised
This protocol is a guide for handling cases involving potential competence issues juvenile court.
Sacramento Valley Mirror’s Sex, Drugs and Violence in Tehama Juvenile Hall
YLC Attorney Sue Burrell was interviewed for this four part Sacramento Valley Mirror series that exposed alleged sexual misconduct by Tehama County Juvenile Hall staff with detained juveniles. Sue provided background information about applicable laws and regulations. The four part series ran August 19 to August 29, 2009.
Probation Provisions in California’s Fostering Connections to Success Act – Powerpoint Presentation
On August 30, 2011, Jennifer Rodriguez and Maria Ramiu presented a webinar on “Probation Provisions in California’s Fostering Connections to Success Act.” Probation staff from more than twenty counties attended the webinar and most were interested in future webinars after AB 12 and AB 212 are enacted. This is the powerpoint that was presented at […]
Nick O. v. Terhune Stipulation and Order
Nick O. v. Terhune was a federal class action challenging the failure of the defendants to provide appropriate special education and related services to youth confined at the California Youth Authority. Judgment was entered on May 7, 1990, in which the defendants agreed to ensure that all class members would be provided with a free […]
Willie M. v. Hunt Judgment and Order
Willie M. v. Hunt was a federal civil rights lawsuit that challenged the state’s failure to provide adequate community-based treatment facilities for children labeled ‘violent’ or ‘aggressive.’ Prior to the lawsuit, class members were often warehoused in large mental health institutions and juvenile training schools and deprived of any meaningful treatment. As a result of […]
Willie M. v. Hunt Complaint
Willie M. v. Hunt was a federal civil rights lawsuit that challenged the state’s failure to provide adequate community-based treatment facilities for children labeled ‘violent’ or ‘aggressive.’ Prior to the lawsuit, class members were often warehoused in large mental health institutions and juvenile training schools and deprived of any meaningful treatment. As a result of […]
Tommy P.v. Board of County Commissioners Memorandum and Judgment
Tommy P. v. Board of County Commissioners was a state court action to insure that children in detention facilities would have a right to adequate education services during long terms of confinement. After trial, the Superior Court held that children have both federal and state constitutional rights to education during confinement, and ordered Spokane County […]
Tommy P. v. Board of Commissioners First Amended Complaint
Tommy P. v. Board of County Commissioners was a state court action to insure that children in detention facilities would have a right to adequate education services during long terms of confinement. After trial, the Superior Court held that children have both federal and state constitutional rights to education during confinement, and ordered Spokane County […]
Morris v. Harper (Wilber v. Cate) Peremptory Writ of Mandamus
This lawsuit was filed in May 2000, challenging the failure of the California Youth Authority (now the Division of Juvenile Justice) to license its inpatient medical and mental health services as required by State law. At the time the lawsuit was filed, the Youth Authority was more than four years beyond the date the licensing […]
Morris v. Harper (Wilber v. Cate) Statement of Decision
This lawsuit was filed in May 2000, challenging the failure of the California Youth Authority (now the Division of Juvenile Justice) to license its inpatient medical and mental health services as required by State law. At the time the lawsuit was filed, the Youth Authority was more than four years beyond the date the licensing […]
Morris v. Harper (Wilber v. Cate) Petition for Writ
This lawsuit was filed in May 2000, challenging the failure of the California Youth Authority (now the Division of Juvenile Justice) to license its inpatient medical and mental health services as required by State law. At the time the lawsuit was filed, the Youth Authority was more than four years beyond the date the licensing […]
Steven L. v. Kern County Settlement Agreement
Steven L. v. Kern County challenged the policies at the Kern County Juvenile Hall and the Kern County Youth Facility regarding access to counsel, mail censorship, and the use of isolation and other discipline. The Youth Law Center entered into a court-approved settlement in May 1991, which resolved all the issues in the case, established […]
Steven L. v. Kern County First Amended Complaint
Steven L. v. Kern County challenged the policies at the Kern County Juvenile Hall and the Kern County Youth Facility regarding access to counsel, mail censorship, and the use of isolation and other discipline. The Youth Law Center entered into a court-approved settlement in May 1991, which resolved all the issues in the case, established […]
Shaw v. San Francisco Settlement Agreement
Shaw v. San Francisco challenged various illegal policies, practices and conditions of confinement at the San Francisco Juvenile Hall (Youth Guidance Center), including an antiquated facility in need of substantial repair and maintenance, fire safety, inadequate staffing and training, disciplinary and grievance procedures, and the failure to provide clean clothes, adequate general or special educational […]
Shaw v. San Francisco Complaint
Shaw v. San Francisco challenged various illegal policies, practices and conditions of confinement at the San Francisco Juvenile Hall (Youth Guidance Center), including an antiquated facility in need of substantial repair and maintenance, fire safety, inadequate staffing and training, disciplinary and grievance procedures, and the failure to provide clean clothes, adequate general or special educational […]
Robert K. v. Bell Consent Order
Robert K. v. Bell was a federal class action brought by nine children who were transferred from the South Carolina Department of Youth Services to the South Carolina Department of Mental Health following attempted suicides at the state training school. Upon transfer, each child was subjected to prolonged periods of solitary confinement. Several of the […]
S.H. v. Reed Stipulation, Injunction and Order re Use of Force
S.H. v. Reed is a federal civil rights class action on behalf of all juveniles in the custody or under the supervision of the Ohio Department of Youth Services (DYS). Confined youth experienced a wide range of abuses including unnecessary use of force by staff; arbitrary and excessive use of discipline, isolation and seclusion; deficient […]
S.H. v. Reed Temporary Restraining Order
S.H. v. Reed is a federal civil rights class action on behalf of all juveniles in the custody or under the supervision of the Ohio Department of Youth Services (DYS). Confined youth experienced a wide range of abuses including unnecessary use of force by staff; arbitrary and excessive use of discipline, isolation and seclusion; deficient […]
S.H. v. Reed Stipulation for Injunctive Relief
S.H. v. Reed is a federal civil rights class action on behalf of all juveniles in the custody or under the supervision of the Ohio Department of Youth Services (DYS). Confined youth experienced a wide range of abuses including unnecessary use of force by staff; arbitrary and excessive use of discipline, isolation and seclusion; deficient […]
S.H. v. Reed Second Amended Complaint
S.H. v. Reed is a federal civil rights class action on behalf of all juveniles in the custody or under the supervision of the Ohio Department of Youth Services (DYS). Confined youth experienced a wide range of abuses including unnecessary use of force by staff; arbitrary and excessive use of discipline, isolation and seclusion; deficient […]
L.H. v. Brown Stipulated Order for Permanent Injunctive Relief
L.H. v. Brown is a federal class action lawsuit filed in September 2006 in the Eastern District of California challenging systematic constitutional violations of youth rights in California Division of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) parole revocation proceedings. (Case No. S-06-CV-2042 (E.D. Cal., originally filed as L.H. v. Schwarzenegger). YLC has worked with lead counsel from Rosen, […]
L.H. v. Brown Order
L.H. v. Brown is a federal class action lawsuit filed in September 2006 in the Eastern District of California challenging systematic constitutional violations of youth rights in California Division of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) parole revocation proceedings. (Case No. S-06-CV-2042 (E.D. Cal., originally filed as L.H. v. Schwarzenegger). YLC has worked with lead counsel from Rosen, […]
L.H. v. Brown Complaint
L.H. v. Brown is a federal class action lawsuit filed in September 2006 in the Eastern District of California challenging systematic constitutional violations of youth rights in California Division of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) parole revocation proceedings. (Case No. S-06-CV-2042 (E.D. Cal., originally filed as L.H. v. Schwarzenegger). YLC has worked with lead counsel from Rosen, […]
Nick O. v. Terhune Complaint
Nick O. v. Terhune was a federal class action challenging the failure of the defendants to provide appropriate special education and related services to youth confined at the California Youth Authority. Judgment was entered on May 7, 1990, in which the defendants agreed to ensure that all class members would be provided with a free […]
Johnnie K. v. Crist Stipulation and Order
Johnnie K. v. Crist was a civil rights action brought by juveniles confined in the New Mexico Boys’ School, located in Springer, New Mexico. The lawsuit challenged the mail censorship procedures followed at the school which allowed staff to read and censor mail sent to or from any boy confined at the facility, for any […]
Johnnie K. v. Crist Complaint
Johnnie K. v. Crist was a civil rights action brought by juveniles confined in the New Mexico Boys’ School, located in Springer, New Mexico. The lawsuit challenged the mail censorship procedures followed at the school which allowed staff to read and censor mail sent to or from any boy confined at the facility, for any […]
Jane G. v. Solano County Settlement Agreement and Order
Jane G. v. Solano County was filed on behalf of a 17-year-old girl who was placed at Solano County Juvenile Hall while awaiting disposition of misdemeanor charges. The lawsuit challenged a variety of practices at the Juvenile Hall, including using isolation as punishment; forcing children to remain in their cells for days at a time […]
Jane G. v. Solano County Complaint
Jane G. v. Solano County was filed on behalf of a 17-year-old girl who was placed at Solano County Juvenile Hall while awaiting disposition of misdemeanor charges. The lawsuit challenged a variety of practices at the Juvenile Hall, including using isolation as punishment; forcing children to remain in their cells for days at a time […]
Hollingsworth v. Orange County Statement of Decision and Judgment
Hollingsworth v. Orange County was a conditions of confinement case filed in state court. The issues in this case were mail, telephone calls, visitation, access to legal materials, personal property, overcrowding, exercise and recreation, imposition of discipline, and grievance procedures, using soft-tie restraints (stripping children to their underwear and tying them to the four corners […]
Hollingsworth v. Orange County Third Amended Complaint
Hollingsworth v. Orange County was a conditions of confinement case filed in state court. The issues in this case were mail, telephone calls, visitation, access to legal materials, personal property, overcrowding, exercise and recreation, imposition of discipline, and grievance procedures, using soft-tie restraints (stripping children to their underwear and tying them to the four corners […]
Gary H. v. Hegstrom Final Decree and Judgement
Gary H. v. Hegstrom challenged the conditions of confinement and adequacy of treatment programs for juveniles at the MacLaren School for Boys, the maximum security institution for delinquents in Oregon. In December, 1984, U.S. District Court Judge James Burns ruled that isolation practices at MacLaren were unconstitutional. He found that an excessive number of juveniles […]
Gary H. v. Hegstrom Second Amended Complaint
Gary H. v. Hegstrom challenged the conditions of confinement and adequacy of treatment programs for juveniles at the MacLaren School for Boys, the maximum security institution for delinquents in Oregon. In December, 1984, U.S. District Court Judge James Burns ruled that isolation practices at MacLaren were unconstitutional. He found that an excessive number of juveniles […]
G.C. v. Coler Settlement Agreement
G.C. v. Coler was a federal, class action lawsuit brought on behalf of children confined at the Broward County Regional Juvenile Detention Center for inadequate and inappropriate conditions of confinement. Children there were subjected to overcrowding, inappropriate placement, unsanitary and dangerous physical conditions, lack of security, lack of adequate staff, abusive punishment including isolation and […]
G.C. v. Coler Second Amended Complaint
G.C. v. Coler was a federal, class action lawsuit brought on behalf of children confined at the Broward County Regional Juvenile Detention Center for inadequate and inappropriate conditions of confinement. Children there were subjected to overcrowding, inappropriate placement, unsanitary and dangerous physical conditions, lack of security, lack of adequate staff, abusive punishment including isolation and […]
E.R. v. McDonnell Settlement Agreement and Order
E.R. v. McDonnell, was filed in December 1995, on behalf of two children confined in the Phillip B. Gilliam Youth Services Center against officials in the Colorado Department of Human Services, the Division of Youth Services, and the Denver Public School District. The complaint alleged unconstitutional overcrowding; problems with safety, health and sanitation; deficiencies in […]
E.R. v. McDonnell First Amended Complaint
E.R. v. McDonnell, was filed in December 1995, on behalf of two children confined in the Phillip B. Gilliam Youth Services Center against officials in the Colorado Department of Human Services, the Division of Youth Services, and the Denver Public School District. The complaint alleged unconstitutional overcrowding; problems with safety, health and sanitation; deficiencies in […]
Doe v. Younger Settlement Agreement
Doe v. Younger challenged the conditions of confinement for juveniles at the Kenton County Detention Center as well as the illegal confinement of juveniles in sight and sound of adult offenders and the illegal detention of status offenders. The JJDPA claims were later dropped from the litigation when Kentucky withdrew from the Act. A tentative […]
Doe v. Younger Amended Complaint
Doe v. Younger challenged the conditions of confinement for juveniles at the Kenton County Detention Center as well as the illegal confinement of juveniles in sight and sound of adult offenders and the illegal detention of status offenders. The JJDPA claims were later dropped from the litigation when Kentucky withdrew from the Act. A tentative […]
Doe v. Foti Consent Decree
Doe v. Foti was a civil rights class action challenging conditions of confinement for juveniles in the Conchetta Facility, Orleans Parish Prison, in New Orleans, and the policies and practices of defendants of confining juveniles in that Detention Center. Specific allegations included an inadequate educational program consisting of at best five hours of school per […]
Doe v. Foti Complaint
Doe v. Foti was a civil rights class action challenging conditions of confinement for juveniles in the Conchetta Facility, Orleans Parish Prison, in New Orleans, and the policies and practices of defendants of confining juveniles in that Detention Center. Specific allegations included an inadequate educational program consisting of at best five hours of school per […]
Danny O. v. Bowman Complaint
Danny O. v. Bowman was a federal class action suit on behalf of all youth who are currently or in the future will be incarcerated at the State Youth Services Center in St. Anthony, Idaho. The suit challenged the defendants’ use of solitary confinement and restraints; education, medical, psychiatric and rehabilitative treatment and services and […]
D.J.R. v. Christean Consent Decree
D.J.R. v. Christean was a federal civil rights class action which challenged the use of excessive and unnecessary ‘preventive’ pretrial detention of children in the Salt Lake County Detention Center. The Detention Center’s records revealed that less than five percent of the 2,200 children detained during 1982 were charged with serious crimes against persons, and […]
Clarence M. v. Yakima Parital Consent Judgment
Clarence M. v. Yakima was a civil rights action for declaratory judgment, permanent injunction, damages and other relief, challenging the conditions of confinement at the Yakima County Detention Facility. Plaintiffs alleged that they were subjected to arbitrary discipline, isolation in a small, dark and unventilated room for up to 24 hours for punishment, showers within […]
Clarence M. v. Yakima Amended Complaint
Clarence M. v. Yakima was a civil rights action for declaratory judgment, permanent injunction, damages and other relief, challenging the conditions of confinement at the Yakima County Detention Facility. Plaintiffs alleged that they were subjected to arbitrary discipline, isolation in a small, dark and unventilated room for up to 24 hours for punishment, showers within […]
Christina A. v. Bloomberg Settlement Agreement
Christina A. v. Bloomberg challenged the conditions of confinement at the South Dakota State Training School in Plankinton. The Youth Law Center filed this civil rights class action lawsuit in February 2000, to challenge staff placing youth, including girls stripped to their underwear or completely naked, in four-point restraints spread eagled on cement slabs; locking […]
Christina A. v. Bloomberg Complaint
Christina A. v. Bloomberg challenged the conditions of confinement at the South Dakota State Training School in Plankinton. The Youth Law Center filed this civil rights class action lawsuit in February 2000, to challenge staff placing youth, including girls stripped to their underwear or completely naked, in four-point restraints spread eagled on cement slabs; locking […]
Bobby M. v. Martinez Consent Decreee
Bobby M. v. Martinez, a federal class action, was brought on behalf of the 1,000 children confined at the Florida state training schools at Marianna, Ocala, and Okeechobee. The action challenged policies, practices, and conditions in the institutions—including ‘hogtying’ children with handcuffs and ankle cuffs, serious overcrowding, unsanitary living conditions, inadequate supervision and training of […]
Bobby M. v. Martinez Second Amended Complaint
Bobby M. v. Martinez, a federal class action, was brought on behalf of the 1,000 children confined at the Florida state training schools at Marianna, Ocala, and Okeechobee. The action challenged policies, practices, and conditions in the institutions—including ‘hogtying’ children with handcuffs and ankle cuffs, serious overcrowding, unsanitary living conditions, inadequate supervision and training of […]
ACLU-NM v. New Mexico CYFD The Court’s Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law and Order Regarding September 8, 2011 Hearing
Since 2002, YLC staff has worked with the American Civil Liberties Union of New Mexico (ACLU-NM) on ACLU of New Mexico v. New Mexico Children, Youth, and Families Department to improve living conditions and rehabilitation services for young people in state juvenile justice facilities. YLC serves as co-counsel in litigation that resulted in settlement agreements […]
ACLU-NM v. New Mexico CYFD 2010 Complaint
Since 2002, YLC staff has worked with the American Civil Liberties Union of New Mexico (ACLU-NM) on ACLU of New Mexico v. New Mexico Children, Youth, and Families Department to improve living conditions and rehabilitation services for young people in state juvenile justice facilities. YLC serves as co-counsel in litigation that resulted in settlement agreements […]
ACLU-NM v. New Mexico CYFD Final Agreement
Since 2002, YLC staff has worked with the American Civil Liberties Union of New Mexico (ACLU-NM) on ACLU of New Mexico v. New Mexico Children, Youth, and Families Department to improve living conditions and rehabilitation services for young people in state juvenile justice facilities. YLC serves as co-counsel in litigation that resulted in settlement agreements […]
ACLU-NM v. New Mexico CYFD Settlement Press Release 2009
Since 2002, YLC staff has worked with the American Civil Liberties Union of New Mexico (ACLU-NM) on ACLU of New Mexico v. New Mexico Children, Youth, and Families Department to improve living conditions and rehabilitation services for young people in state juvenile justice facilities. YLC serves as co-counsel in litigation that resulted in settlement agreements […]
ACLU-NM v. New Mexico CYFD Appendix to 2006 Agreement
Since 2002, YLC staff has worked with the American Civil Liberties Union of New Mexico (ACLU-NM) on ACLU of New Mexico v. New Mexico Children, Youth, and Families Department to improve living conditions and rehabilitation services for young people in state juvenile justice facilities. YLC serves as co-counsel in litigation that resulted in settlement agreements […]
ACLU-NM v. New Mexico CYFD 2006 Agreement
Since 2002, YLC staff has worked with the American Civil Liberties Union of New Mexico (ACLU-NM) on ACLU of New Mexico v. New Mexico Children, Youth, and Families Department to improve living conditions and rehabilitation services for young people in state juvenile justice facilities. YLC serves as co-counsel in litigation that resulted in settlement agreements […]
Anthony C. v. Pima County Stipulation and Agreement
Anthony C. v. Pima County was filed in 1982 to challenge a number of practices at the Pima County Detention Center in Tucson. These included use of leather restraints, inadequate treatment programs, mail censorship, restrictions on visitation, overcrowding, and failure to provide 24-hour detention hearings. After protracted negotiations, local officials entered into a consent decree […]
Working Together: Building Local Monitoring Capacity for Juvenile Detention Centers
This report describes a project undertaken when the California Legislature defunded state inspections of juvenile defender centers as part of its 1992 budget negotiations. The legislation substituted a “self inspection” process that called for local jurisdictions to monitor themselves. The Annie E. Casey Foundation provided funding to YLC to provide training on how to do […]
Anthony C. v. Pima County Complaint
Anthony C. v. Pima County was filed in 1982 to challenge a number of practices at the Pima County Detention Center in Tucson. These included use of leather restraints, inadequate treatment programs, mail censorship, restrictions on visitation, overcrowding, and failure to provide 24-hour detention hearings. After protracted negotiations, local officials entered into a consent decree […]
Aguilar v. Mitchell Complaint
Aguilar v. Mitchell was a federal court action involving conditions of confinement of children in the detention center in Walla Walla. At the trial, experts in the areas of child psychiatry, adolescent medicine, institutional program planning, environmental engineering, and architecture testified concerning the harmful effects of confining children for 24 hours a day in dirty, […]
ACLU NM v. NMCYFD 2007 Complaint
Since 2002, YLC staff has worked with the American Civil Liberties Union of New Mexico (ACLU-NM) on ACLU of New Mexico v. New Mexico Children, Youth, and Families Department to improve living conditions and rehabilitation services for young people in state juvenile justice facilities. YLC serves as co-counsel in litigation that resulted in settlement agreements […]
Safford v. Redding Amicus
The Youth Law Center participated in this case as amicus curiae in a brief on behalf of Savana filed by the Philadelphia-based Juvenile Law Center, law professors and juvenile advocacy groups around the country. This was the first juvenile school search case considered by the High Court in 24 years. The United State Supreme Court […]
DJJ’s Implementation of AB 1628 Transferring Post-Release Supervision to County Probation
This memo summarizes a presentation at a public meeting of the Juvenile Parole Board (JPB) on January 31, 2011, at which Division of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) representatives explained how they will implement AB 1628, which as of January 19, 2011, transfers responsibility for post-release supervision from DJJ Parole to county probation departments. Procedures may be […]
Youth Law Center Analysis of DJJ Parole Realignment to the Counties
On October 19, 2010, the Public Safety budget trailer bill, A.B. 1628, was signed into law by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, effective immediately upon this date of enactment. This new law included language that amends the Welfare & Institutions Code (WIC) and reorganizes and realigns juvenile parole from the California Division of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) to […]
Energy Efficient Strategies for Defenders to Improve Conditions for Clents in Custody
This is a short discussion of strategies defenders may use to address individual client situations as well as systemic issues. While people often think that conditions advocacy necessarily implicates litigation, the truth is that many problems can be resolved quickly and effectively through the straightforward mechanisms outlined below. These strategies are designed to have maximum […]
Incompetent Youth in California Juvenile Justice
This article offers a vehicle for discussion of California juvenile incompetence to stand trial. It begins with an overview of the California juvenile justice system and a profile of youth in juvenile justice, briefly reviews the incompetency laws applying to adults, and then describes existing legal provisions to address juvenile incompetence. It also describes the […]
Difficult to Place: Youth with Mental Health Needs in California Juvenile Justice
This report presents the findings of Youth Law Center’s research into placement issues for juvenile justice youth with mental health needs in 10 California counties. The focus of the research was youth with mental health needs who have been ordered by the juvenile court to be placed in a non-secure placement, but who remain incarcerated […]
The Human Impact of Crowding in Juvenile Detention
This article explores the human impact of crowding as actually observed in detention centers around the country through the eyes of juvenile advocates. It paints a dismal portrait of a system which is meant to humanely care for youth and shows how crowding and its effects are exacerbated by inappropriate detention decisions, systemic inefficiencies, and […]
Gang Evidence: Issues for Criminal Defense
This extensive article covers issues such as gangs in a societal context, the difficulty in defining gang activity, and issues for criminal defense which include discovery of official records of gang affiliation, search issues, gang attire, evidentiary objections at trial, gang evidence as hearsay, allegations that may arise from specific Anti-Gang Legislation, and sentencing of […]