Over the past few years, Georgia residents have expressed increasing outrage over evidence of police brutality perpetrated against civilians. This is in large part due to recently publicized altercations between the police and residents, some of which have led to a number of tragic and untimely deaths. In response to public concern, Governor Deal recently…
In response to concerns about the effectiveness and fairness of the practices and procedures currently used in the country’s juvenile criminal justice system, state legislatures across the nation are considering major reforms. One of the states that is leading the charge is Illinois, where legislators recently passed a series of important amendments aimed at protecting…
Decades of research have revealed that stable and consistent relationships between minors and parents, teachers, and community members can help protect teens from violence and crime. Despite this evidence, the juvenile justice system continues to funnel teenagers who commit minor infractions at school to non-local detention facilities far from loved ones and support systems. Acknowledging…
In 2013, the Georgia Legislature passed a series of laws aimed at reforming the juvenile justice system. The reforms have proven successful, but in large part have been underfunded. A recent budget proposal made by Governor Deal would allow for immediate funding and the expansion of juvenile diversion programs that could make all the…
While most police officers follow department guidelines and use appropriate force when detaining suspects, unfortunately, others take advantage of their status to inflict undue punishment on victims. This has become a significant problem in Georgia where a sheriff in Macon recently pleaded guilty to two counts of violating the civil rights of two non-resisting arrestees….
In June, Representative Rosa DeLauro introduced a new bill, entitled “Improving the Juvenile Justice System for Girls Act of 2016.” The law aims to decrease the number of girls who experience trauma while incarcerated by authorizing grants for the implementation of gender-responsive services in the juvenile justice system. The bill is currently before the House…