TREAT KIDS LIKE KIDS

Hold children accountable in ways that are developmentally appropriate. Children think and act differently than adults because they’re still developing - not only physically, but also emotionally, mentally, and socially. Yet even in the juvenile justice system, 10 to 17-year-olds are treated as if they are just small adults, and funneled into a complicated court process that usually causes more harm than good. It’s time we use new, effective approaches to hold children accountable while still helping them develop in positive ways. Address common adolescent misbehavior in constructive ways at home, in school, and with community programs. If a child is arrested, divert them from formal prosecution as often as possible. Immediate, appropriate consequences are more effective at changing a child’s behavior than drawn-out court proceedings. If a child is prosecuted and found guilty, hold them accountable in ways that are proven to reduce reoffending and tailored to their individual rehabilitation and treatment needs. Allow children to enter adulthood without any barriers to their success. Because they are still developing, children have an incredible capacity to grow and change as they age. Yet, a court record can follow a child for a lifetime, making it difficult to access education, good jobs, and housing – all things needed to thrive. That’s true even in Louisiana’s juvenile justice system, which doesn’t fully protect children’s identities. Once a child has been held accountable, we need to allow them to leave the justice system behind for good. Do not disclose a child’s name or potentially identifying details to the public. Keep all court proceedings involving a child confidential. Automatically expunge all records once a child’s case is closed.