“On October 10, 2013, the Campaign for Youth Justice releases a new report, State Trends – Legislative Victories from 2011-2013: Removing Youth from the Adult Criminal Justice System. The report takes a look at states that have, and are taking steps to remove children from the adult criminal justice system.

This report arrives at a moment when there is a real opportunity for reform.  States are recognizing that youth have developmental differences from adults as well as great potential for rehabilitation, both of which should be taken into account in sentencing,” said Jessica Sandoval, CFYJ’s Vice President.

Over the past eight years, twenty three states have enacted forty pieces of legislation to reduce the prosecution of youth in adult criminal courts and end the placement of youth in adult jails and prisons. The report documents the continuation of four trends in justice reform efforts across the country and highlights the key pieces of legislation enacted between 2011 and 2013.”

It is noteworthy that North Carolina is not mentioned at all in the report.