By: Jason Smith, Executive Director at Michigan Center for Youth Justice Research has demonstrated that youth involved in the juvenile justice system significantly benefit from community-based services. A report by the Annie E. Casey Foundation revealed that youth placed in community-oriented programs have a higher chance of graduating high school, securing employment, and avoiding re-arrest compared to those in residential facilities. In contrast, placement in juvenile just

By; Jason Smith, Executive Director at Michigan Center for Youth Justice Juvenile court debt reform has become a priority in Michigan and across the country, as the realization dawns that these fees are inconsistently imposed, fiscally ineffective, and disproportionately impact families of color. They also exacerbate poverty for indigent families. In Michigan, juvenile courts have the authority to charge various fees in delinquency proceedings, but these discretionary fees ar

By: Jason Smith, Executive Director at Michigan Center for Youth Justice Quality legal representation is a fundamental right, particularly in the juvenile justice system, where the futures of young people hang in the balance. Regrettably, the indigent defense system in Michigan is letting justice-involved youth down, especially those from low-income families who can't afford a lawyer. The current system poses serious challenges that negatively impact the constitutional rights