Rehabilitation Prioritized via Juvenile Court for California Youth under Age 16

[摘要] juvenile courttransferyouthful offenderrehabilitationyouthserious offensesCalifornia Bill Barring Transfers of Youth under Age 16 to Adult Court Allowed as Consistent with Aim of Promoting Rehabilitation and Reducing Prison PopulationIn O.G. v. Superior Court of Ventura County, 481 P.3d 648 (Cal. 2021), the California Supreme Court considered whether Senate Bill 1391 (2018), an act prohibiting the transfer of youth under age 16 to adult criminal court, aligned with the purpose of a voter initiative enacted in 2016 (Proposition 57) to promote, among other things, rehabilitation of youthful offenders and reduce California's unnecessary spending on prisons while protecting public safety. The court found that barring these transfers furthered the overarching rehabilitative aim of Proposition 57 and, therefore, was lawfully enacted. Although the court used a standard of review deferential to the legislature's ability to enact this change, the ruling relied heavily on evidence that transferring youth under age 16 to adult court can be detrimental to public safety, rehabilitation potential, and fiscal responsibility.

[学科分类] 儿科学

[关键词] juvenile court;transfer;youthful offender;rehabilitation;youth;serious offenses