Sally Stevens, Distinguished Outreach Professor, Department of Gender and Women’s Studies; Research Professor, Southwest Institute for Research on Women, University of Arizona
Tamara Sargus, Research Coordinator, Southwest Institute for Research on Women, University of Arizona
This article is courtesy of the Making Action Possible for Southern Arizona Dashboard Project
Juvenile courts in the U.S. were created to provide a separate systematized legal course for minors given that youths’ capacity for criminal action and responsibility is thought to be different, and not as liable, as that of adults. Youth are typically viewed as more amenable to rehabilitation compared to their adult counterparts and thus should be given opportunities to become successful adults. Jurisdiction over juvenile courts varies across U.S. states and territories with some juvenile courts under the jurisdiction of another court.
Arizona’s juvenile court is part of Superior Court, a court that is situated in each of Arizona’s 15 counties. As in most states, the mission of Arizona’s juvenile court is to achieve public safety along with youth rehabilitation. However, at both the state and county level, some Arizona juvenile court laws, policies, and practices are not aligned with the rehabilitative aspect of its mission, and instead place undue burden on youth and their families. Two such burdens include (1) open juvenile record laws, and (2) court-related fines and fees policies. These burdens can keep youth from becoming successful adults and impede their economic livelihood, physical and mental health, and social wellbeing.
Arizona is one of seven states in which juvenile delinquency records are available to the public. To be able to have one’s juvenile record expunged or destroyed, a youth must complete probation successfully including paying restitution and all court-related fines and fees. A sizable proportion of Arizona’s court revenue comes from fines, sanctions, and forfeitures, as well as court-related fees; including from Arizona’s juvenile courts. However, such costs can be excessive and burdensome and particularly difficult for youth and families from lower socio-economic households.
Key Background Information
To read more check out the recent White Paper: Wellbeing of Juvenile Justice-involved Youth in Arizona published on the MAP Dashboard.
