Thousands of youth who run away from home, skip school, or engage in other risky behaviors, like underage drinking, are processed through the court system each year. In Wisconsin, approximately 7,000 youth are arrested for truancy and running away each year. Status offenses are a range of behaviors that are prohibited because of a...
Over the past decade, there has been heightened awareness and serious concern over the fastest growing illegal industry in the United States: human trafficking. As awareness has grown, so has the need for more comprehensive legislation that can address barriers to justice and recovery. The Wisconsin State Assembly passed AB620 which...
WCCF just posted on our website an updated summary of juvenile justice data trends, about The Continuing State of Juvenile Justice in Wisconsin. The prior report included data through 2010, and this takes us through 2012 data. While the downward trends have continued, it will be interesting to see what happens in 2013 as there are...
This report is an update of an earlier report published in October of 2011 and includes data from 2011 and 2012. Fortunately, many of the trends noted in the earlier report have continued, as juvenile arrests have continued to decline and we have seen a growth in support for successful community-based programs.
Research over the past 20+ years affirms that trying youth in adult court has a detrimental impact on community safety as well as on many 17-year-olds. Current Wisconsin law excludes all 17-year-olds from the juvenile court and the services available through that venue. Even if prosecutors and judges wanted to include a 17-year-old in an appropriate juvenile service or program, they are unable to do so. Researchers have studied how best to promote public safety and meet the needs of 17-year-olds in several different ways.
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