FEATURED

new york logo 01

A Day in Family Court

NEW YORK -- Daphne Culler whispered the words from the courtroom visitor’s bench, so quietly practically no one could hear. “Just relax,” she said. Culler, her face impassive, never broke eye contact with her daughter, who sat across the room at the witness table. The 15-year-old, who was accused of assaulting a shop owner, mumbled each answer. Twice the judge told her to speak up. Her demeanor alternated between anxiety and annoyance at the repeated questions, a quick smile sometimes flashing across her face until the next question called her to attention.

Two Major Juvenile Justice Bills Passed in Illinois Senate

By: |
Illinois Capitol

On Tuesday, Illinois state senators passed two bills with potentially profound implications on the state’s juvenile justice system. By a 40-10 vote, the Illinois Senate passed House Bill 2404, which would place young people in the state charged with felonies under the jurisdiction of juvenile courts as opposed to the adult system. Currently, 17-year-olds in Illinois charged with felonies are automatically tried as adults. If the bill is signed into law, such youth would instead be tried, initially, in juvenile courts, where judges have greater ability to avoid handing out sentences that entail incarceration. Under the legislation, however, 17-year-olds with serious offenses are still eligible for transfer to adult courts. Continue Reading →

What Drives a Boy to Kill?

By: |
what_drives?

Dr. Michael Kimmel, professor of sociology at the Stony Brook University, has written more than a dozen books on constructs of “masculinity” in culture. When evaluating recent school shootings, he notices several commonalities that may provide vital clues as to why young men engage in such acts of bloodshed. Continue Reading →

Common Sense Approach to Safe Schools

By: |
Nash.Michael

LOS ANGELES — I have the privilege of serving as the current president of the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges (NCJFCJ). Our organization is the nation’s oldest judicial membership organization with approximately 2,000 members nationwide, mostly judicial officers. NCJFCJ’s function is to provide education, technical assistance and research for our nation’s juvenile and family court judges and others working in our child welfare and juvenile justice systems.  In addition, NCJFCJ often weighs in on, or is asked to weigh in on, important policy issues impacting children and families. In January of this year, NCJFCJ was asked by representatives of Vice President Joe Biden to provide input to the committee he chaired that was tasked to make recommendations to President Barack Obama after the Newtown school shootings. Specifically, our organization was asked our views on increased school security in schools. Continue Reading →