Juvenile Justice

Juvenile justice is a term that broadly refers to the laws, policies, and institutions that govern young people who come into contact with the criminal justice system. Unlike the adult system, which tends to be focused on accountability and punishment, the juvenile justice system is more oriented toward rehabilitation. Thus, juvenile justice policy tends to walk a fine line between holding the young person accountable for their offense and providing rehabilitative services. Policy work in this area includes a focus on the transitional period between juvenile and adulthood, especially those in the 16-25 years of age range, and appropriate sanctions for the most serious offenses. The Robina Institute seeks to effect systemic improvements in the area of juvenile justice by translating existing and emerging research on juvenile development for use in policy, practice, and the law.