Alameda County Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Commission raised alarm over increased adult transfer petitions by the new district attorney. Data indicated only three transfers from 2014 to 2023 but six pending cases under the new administration. This represents 10% of youth in custody, igniting concern over rehabilitation goals of the juvenile system. Commissioners expressed the belief that the system could rehabilitate young offenders, with evidence of some transitioning to college or giving back to the community, marking a significant shift from previous practices.
The commission has been very concerned over the last couple of months at the increase of adult transfer petitions that have been filed by the D.A.'s office. In the past six months under District Attorney Ursula Jones Dickson, six juvenile cases are currently pending transfer to adult court.
Right now, there are 60 young people in custody in Alameda County Juvenile Hall. And at least six of them, there has been filed for adult transfer. So that's 10% of the youth, and that's so alarming to us because we know the whole purpose the juvenile justice system is for rehabilitation.
Because we have only sent three in the past 10 years, I think we have kind of sent this message and stance that we can rehabilitate young people even for serious crimes. We have actually seen that we can do that. We have young people now going to college straight from juvenile hall.
The notice itself does not mean that the youth will be sent to adult court. It doesn't necessarily mean the D.A. will make a genuine effort to try the cases.
Collection
[
|
...
]