Policy Tool
From the Introduction: “Although California needs to make major improvements to its indigent defense system, the most overdue and pressing starting point is to ban flat-fee contracts. In this report, we explore why many California counties rely on flat-fee contracts, analyze recent contracts in counties that do not have a dedicated public defender’s office, and…
From the introduction: “This is a moment to organize, educate, and mobilize. Whether you’re an educator, a parent, or an advocate, you have a role to play in protecting all students. This action kit is designed to equip educators, parents, and community leaders with the knowledge, resources, and strategies to safeguard immigrant students from the…
Human Rights Watch conducted a study on New Jersey’s waiver mechanisms, finding that the state is effectively operating a prosecutorial waiver system that is disproportionately harming Black and Latine youth, sidelining judicial oversight, and prioritizing punishment over treatment. This report offers recommendations for a wide range of system professionals to ultimately end the prosecution of…
In this letter to school officials, the ACLU of Ohio provides guidance in response to the revocation of the “sensitive locations” policy that had previously limited immigration enforcement at schools. The letter provides guidance regarding procedures schools should have in place if immigration agents take enforcement action at schools, the collection of information regarding students’…
A redacted, one-page instructional document outlining steps for staff to take if ICE arrives at a law clinic.
Sample text: “Jurisdictions reported the practice (of youth fines and fees) was unnecessary and inappropriate since Kansas Dept. of Corrections grants already cover everything they would spend the fees on.”
From the introduction: “Friendships gain new importance and intensity as we become adolescents. Healthy friendships can lead to higher academic achievement, less risky behavior, and greater overall wellbeing and can influence our future values and identity. They can even have positive effects on mental health well into adulthood. Providing opportunities for young people to form…
From the executive summary: “This report offers recommendations for researchers, policymakers, diversion programs, and community organizations focused on diverting Black women, girls, trans and gender nonconforming people from criminal punishment systems. Our recommendations are based on an assessment of diversion programs through a Black feminist lens, which starts from the standpoint of the women and…
One-page infographic on the seven key developmental needs of adolescence.
An review of the six amendments made to the Immigration and Nationality Act made by the Laken Riley Act.
Issued by the Maryland State Department of Education, these documents provide, in English and Spanish, guidance regarding student rights, school registration, requests from immigration authorities or law enforcements at schools, training for school personnel, and resources for families.
From the introduction: “In August 2024, the Office for Access to Justice hosted its quarterly convening with national public defense organizations to discuss youth public defense. During the convening Rachel Rossi, Director of the Office of Access to Justice and Liz Ryan, Administrator of Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, heard from members of…
From the executive summary: “The repercussions of involvement in municipal court are severe and often can affect youth long into adulthood through punitive measures like probation, fines and fees, detention, and criminal records. To address these issues, this report calls on municipal courts, policymakers, police departments, school districts, and advocates to take action. It emphasizes…
From the introduction: “The incoming federal administration has promised a set of actions focused on mass deportations as well as aggressive and harsh immigration policies. If implemented, the human cost to immigrant New Yorkers will be staggering. Community-based organizations and nonprofits provide mission-driven services to hundreds of thousands of immigrants in the state. Many in…
