Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act
Overview
The Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act (JJDPA) allows the government to fund programs in states and local communities. These programs aim to prevent young people from getting in trouble with the law and improve how the justice system interacts with youth. The most extensive JJDPA program gives states grants for certain activities related to four main requirements:
- keeping young people who break minor laws out of detention centers,
- making sure youth facilities are safe and separate from adult facilities,
- not putting young people in adult jails or lockups,
- and addressing any unfair treatment based on race or ethnicity.
The law also allows for other activities like providing help, training, demonstrations, research, and programs for runaway and homeless youth, as well as missing children.
Why It Matters
The law helps improve treatment for people with disabilities, including learning disabilities, who are involved with the juvenile justice system. It provides important legal protections for these individuals.
Deeper Dive
Deeper Dive
The fine details of any law are often complicated and specific. For more in-depth information on the JJDPA, see our Learn the Law breakdown. This PDF document takes a much deeper dive into the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act.