Meeting the needs of emerging adults
Emerging adults between the ages of 18 and 24 are still developing as people and need support from the justice system that addresses their unique needs. Courts can build community partnerships and promote connections that help young people thrive.
"When you have people with different educational levels, cognitive abilities, mental health needs, success is defined differently."
Judge Bruce Chan, Young Adult Court, San Francisco
NCSC is collaborating with the State Justice Institute (SJI), American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry (AAAP), Annie E. Casey Foundation, and individual states to support courts with education and technical assistance for justice-involved emerging adult programs.
To launch these efforts, we convened teams from 43 states and four territories for the National Convening on the State Courts' Role in Effective Justice for Young People in Omaha, Nebraska, in 2025. More than 200 stakeholders participated in team learning and collaboration to better serve young people in the juvenile justice system and young adults in the criminal justice system.
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Supporting emerging adults through collaboration
Courts are connecting court-involved emerging adults to services and resources to help them avoid recidivism, gain independence, and achieve their long-term goals. Learn how staff in Franklin County, Ohio, build and maintain collaborations and how these collaborations impact program participants.
Updates on emerging adults & young people
Stay informed about the latest opportunities, innovations, emerging research, and policy shifts across the juvenile and criminal justice systems.
Advancing effective justice for young people
Discover what attendees at our 2025 National Convening on the State Courts' Role in Effective Justice for Young People learned from colleagues from across the country.
Key lessons from research & experience
Explore the unique challenges emerging adults face in the justice system and the steps your court can take to address them.
Emerging adults are not yet fully grown
Young adults between 18 and 24 are still developing mentally and emotionally, so treating them in the same way as older adults in the justice system doesn't work.
Some states are revisiting age limits
Several states are expanding juvenile court programs to include young adults, acknowledging their need for different treatment based on brain development.
Community support is essential
Courts can't do it alone, and the best programs include support from local groups, treatment providers, and mentors who understand young adults.
Programs should be tailored
Every young person is different, so programs must be flexible and address each individual's background, goals, and challenges.
Trusted relationships matter
Trust and consistent support, especially from case managers and peer mentors, can help emerging adults stay motivated and succeed in the long run.
Improve your response to emerging adults
We're here to share best practices and develop road maps and action steps to improve outcomes for young adults in your community. Contact us to learn more about what's happening across the country, trainings, and learning opportunities.
Our expert
Portions of this article are adapted from "Meeting the Needs of Emerging Adults in the Justice System," by Teri Deal and Lindsey E. Wylie of NCSC, and Ana Cienfuegos-Silvera, a graduate student from the University of Nebraska - Lincoln, published in Trends in State Courts, 2022.
Explore more
Facing guardianship: Emerging adults (18-25) in transition & the court's role
Explore the unique challenges and legal considerations emerging adults face when potentially entering the guardianship system. This session features foundational background, a judge's perspective, and emerging practices – offering valuable insights for court professionals supporting youth through this critical transition.
Case management
Effectively managing prioritization, process simplification, stakeholder engagement, resource allocation, data, and performance measurement.
Community collaboration in emerging adult diversion
Discover how increasing collaboration between the court, counsel, city agencies, community-based programs, and other treatment services can connect court-involved emerging adults to services and resources that help them avoid recidivism, gain independence, and achieve their long-term goals.