Futures in the Balance: Myths and Facts About the Impacts of Juvenile Court

Numerous myths and misconceptions exist about involvement with the juvenile legal system and the effects it can have on a young person’s trajectory to success. Many people have misconceptions about the mostly unrealized benefits of juvenile court, thinking juvenile court is a benevolent system of support that does not lead to longterm negative outcomes.

The reality is that involvement with the juvenile court system can put overwhelming hurdles in the way of young people’s futures. Youth are regularly saddled with fines and fees, driver license suspensions, suspension or expulsion from school, stigma from electronic monitoring, and many other obstacles. Additionally, youth are often traumatized by legal system practices like shackling, strip searches, isolation, and incarceration. And health, mental health, education, and employment outcomes are generally worse for youth who interact with the legal system.