Minority youth were disproportionately charged in adult court. For example, in Jefferson County, Alabama, African American youth accounted for approximately 3 out of 10 felony arrests, but represented 8 out of 10 felony cases filed in criminal court. A majority were released before trial, most within 24 hours of having charges filed, and many were released without bail, all indicating that the charges were not especially serious. When they went to court, a significant percentage of youth were not convicted at all or were transferred back to the juvenile court. Nearly two-thirds of all youth who were detained pretrial were held in adult jails where previous research shows that youth are at serious risk of assault and suicide.
White youth are twice as likely as African-American youth to be represented by private counsel.
Youth who are represented by private attorneys were less likely to be convicted and more likely to be transferred back to juvenile court. This is the third major report issued this year by the Building Blocks for Youth initiative. The first, issued in February and titled The Color of Justice, found that in California youth of color are more likely than white youth to be transferred to adult criminal court, and to be sentenced to prison, even when charged with similar offenses. In April, the initiative released a comprehensive national report, And Justice for Some, which found that minority youth receive more severe treatment than white youth at every decision point throughout the justice system, even when charge with the same offenses. Most youth sent to adult criminal court could be adequately handled in the juvenile justice system, where they have opportunities for treatment and rehabilitation.