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.
From birth, Dr. King’s dream remains illusory for too many Black people in our state.
For decades, Wisconsin has received national attention as both a harbinger of public opinion and a key battleground state. Regrettably, Wisconsin also stands out nationally for a more insidious reason.
