Juvenile Services

I believe in the power of community-based programs as our best solution to provide our kids with the support and resources needed to succeed. Youth who drop out of high school are eight times more likely to enter the criminal justice system and be incarcerated than high school graduates.  As Prosecuting Attorney I will be working to keep kids in school by offering educational supports which are a proven and effective crime prevention strategy.

Community and prosecutors can work together to divert non-violent cases out of the justice system and to combat youth violence by strengthening pro-social norms and protective factors in youth and decreasing risk factors.   These efforts are data-driven.  Research shows that connecting youth to structure and opportunities, such as employment, job mentorship and training, educational supports, and behavioral interventions can improve youth well-being and reduce violence.

While I am a strong believer in the importance and power of effective diversion programs, as Prosecutor, it will be my job to oversee any youth who do engage in serious violent crime.  Community safety demands a respite from youth who commit serious violent crime, and those youth are deserving of immediate attention in a secure and therapeutic setting, where the young person can get immediate access to comprehensive services.