Improving outcomes for court-involved young adults with developmental frameworks

Introduction

Young adults, sometimes referred to as transition-aged youth or emerging adults, represent one of the most challenging populations in the criminal justice system. Missed court appearances, probation violations, and early termination from treatment court programs are among the issues that demonstrate a mismatch between traditional adult criminal justice system structures and the developmental realities present through emerging adulthood. 

During this critical developmental stage, involvement in the criminal justice system can unintentionally impede a young adult's successful transition into adulthood. However, involvement in the legal system can be a meaningful catalyst for positive change when strengths-based approaches are used to build on a young adult's capacity and desire for social connection. Research shows that young adults are developmentally distinct from older adults, and legal systems are increasingly recognizing that they have distinct basic and criminogenic needs.

Tracking state, national responses to young & emerging adults

California has become a leader in integrating developmental approaches into criminal justice practice, with six counties that have pilot-tested locally developed young adult courts (YACs). To further examine the state's response to young adults, the Judicial Council of California (JCC) partnered with NCSC to develop recommendations for common definitions, performance measurement standards, and further integration of developmental neuroscience into criminal justice practice for young adult courts. 

In our scan of 24 young adult court initiatives, we identified a significant and growing response to serve young adults effectively. Existing initiatives span the full range of the criminal case process, serve diverse populations, and reflect meaningful local innovation. Taken together, they point toward shared principles that apply a developmental framework to court practices.

Charting a path forward

Site visits to young adult courts in California provided an opportunity to build on this framework, examine how shared principles are implemented across diverse local contexts, and identify a developmentally responsive practice. The findings from the national scan and the California observation will form the basis for common definitions and performance measures that courts across the country can use as young adult courts continue to grow.

Download Young Adult Courts and Justice-Involved Emerging Adults: Literature Review & Key Practices Across Existing Models: A National Scan