Coalition Calls on State Legislators to Reform Laws That Allow Youth to be Tried and Sentenced as Adults

A new report by the Washington Coalition for the Just Treatment of Youth shows that Washington laws that allow that youth be tried and sentenced in adult court do not comport with recent scientific findings regarding adolescent brain development, and presents research showing that such laws may actually jeopardize public safety. A recent news article from the Seattle Post-Intelligencer discusses the report and its findings. The coalition is calling on Washington legislators to take immediate steps to reform the state's treatment of juveniles in the adult criminal justice system. The coalition's report can be found on our publications page.