Skip to main content

This site was archived January 1, 2018 and is no longer updated.

Keeping Kids Out of Court: Rethinking Our Response to Status Offenses

Published Oct 8, 2014, Status Offense Reform Center

Download (156 KB)

Photo

Status offenses are behaviors that are problematic but non-criminal in nature —such as running away from home, skipping school, or violating curfew—which are prohibited under the law only because of an individual’s status as a minor. Thousands of kids are funneled into the court system every year on status offense charges, an approach that is increasingly proving to be inefficient, expensive, and ineffective in addressing the underlying causes of these behaviors. This brief describes the scope of this problem, highlights states that are rethinking the current approach, and provides recommendations for better supporting youth and families who are struggling with status offenses outside of the juvenile justice system.

Reform areas: Status offense/truancy

Categories: Status offense/truancy

Uploaded Oct 9, 2014


Share

Supported by

Models for Change was a juvenile justice systems reform initiative supported by the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, website operated by Justice Policy Institute.

MacArthur