Legal Issues for Dually Adjudicated Children

Resources and information about legal issues for youth who are involved with both the child welfare and juvenile justice systems, including State and local examples.

Addressing The Needs Of Youth Known To Both The Child Welfare And Juvenile Justice Systems (PDF - 3976 KB)
Bilchik (2010)
Discusses innovative practices courts can implement to serve children who come to their attention through multiple systems and to prevent youth from further system involvement.

The Plight of the Abused Delinquent: The Crossover Child in the American Legal System
Scrivner (2001)
In Advocacy for Children and Families: Moving From Sympathy to Empathy
View Abstract
Describes the difficulties faced by attorneys who represent delinquent children who have been abused, at the individual and local levels as well as systemwide.

TeamChild: Curbing Delinquency at its Roots
Kellam
ABA Child Law Practice, 20(2), 2001
View Abstract
Describes a legal advocacy program that helps youth involved in the juvenile justice system who have mental health problems, learning disabilities, or unstable home situations receive social services to prevent repeat delinquent behavior.

Understanding Child Maltreatment and Juvenile Delinquency: From Research to Effective Program, Practice, and Systemic Solutions (PDF - 73 KB)
Bilchik (2003)
Written to aid those in the judicial and child welfare systems understand the relationship between abuse and neglect and juvenile delinquency.

When Systems Collide: Improving Court Practices and Programs in Dual Jurisdiction Cases (PDF - 152 KB)
National Center for Juvenile Justice (2004)
Identifies promising court-based or court-linked practices and programs that can effectively address the difficult challenges posed by youth who experience simultaneous dependency and delinquency court involvement.

Youth Involvement in the Child Welfare and Juvenile Justice Systems: A Case of Double Jeopardy?
Morris & Freundlich (2004)
View Abstract
Study about the experiences of foster youth who are also involved in the juvenile justice system.

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State and local examples

Arizona Dual Jurisdiction Study: Final Report
Halemba, Siegel, Lord, & Zawacki (2004)
View Abstract
Discusses the barriers to effective court handling of cases of youth with simultaneous dependency and delinquency court involvement.

Bridging Child Welfare and Juvenile Justice: Preventing Unnecessary Detention of Foster Children
Ross, Conger, & Armstrong
Child Welfare, 81(3), 2002
View Abstract
Examines the lack of coordination between the child welfare and juvenile justice systems and describes a New York program to reduce problems associated with this gap.

Child Welfare, Juvenile Justice, and the Courts
North Carolina Division of Social Services & North Carolina Family and Children's Resource Program
Children's Services Practice Notes, 12(4), 2007
Discusses child welfare services for children involved in the juvenile justice system, including information on the link between child maltreatment and juvenile delinquency, the history and functions of the juvenile justice system, types of offenses of juvenile delinquents, and key juvenile justice terms.

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