The Supreme Court Election's Impact on Juvenile Justice

After getting a chance to fully appreciate the impact of the State Supreme Court election on the future on Wisconsin youth, participants from last week's Juvenile Justice Forum are ready to head to the polls on April 3rd.

The next Supreme Court justice is expected to have an impact on juvenile justice in Wisconsin, as lawmakers consider introducing legislation that would raise the age that youth are automatically charged as adults in the criminal justice system from 17 to 18. Teen incarceration is a major concern for many family advocates in Wisconsin. As a result of being convicted as an adult, a youth will have a permanent record and can be denied important opportunities for future success, including admission to college or gaining employment that pays a living wage. There are direct correlations between juvenile justice and teen pregnancy and poverty. In fact, the sons of teen mothers are 13 percent more likely to end up in prison than sons of mothers who delay childbearing even a few years.

During the discussion, which was hosted Planned Parenthood Advocates of Wisconsin (PPAWI), teens and concerned parents heard from State Rep. Tamara Grigsby (D-Milwaukee), State Rep. Fred Kessler (D-Milwaukee) and Alderman Willie Wade (7th Aldermanic District-Milwaukee) on the need to participate in the democratic process, especially in the election of judges.

"We want people to go out and vote because that's going to determine a lot on how anybody, a young person, an African-American person, a Hispanic person is going to be treated in the court system," said Kessler.

"The judge has the ability to take our freedom away, and send our loved ones away for life. Yet, when it comes time to hire or fire this person, we don't go to the polls," said Alderman Wade.

Participants were encouraged to cast their ballots for Linda Clifford. State Representative Grigsby also encouraged the group to remain engaged in the political process, even once the Supreme Court election is over.

"The issues that impact your everyday life are the decisions that are made at the state level, decisions that are made at the city level, at the county level, at the school board level. The people in those positions really do decide… the things that determine the quality of life for the people in this community," said Grigsby.

Background:
The goal of the Juvenile Justice Forum was to help those in attendance understand what they can do to support young people before and after they become part of the juvenile justice system, and learn about how the outcome of the State Supreme Court race on April 3 will affect juvenile justice issues.

Planned Parenthood Advocates of Wisconsin has been working with local partners to inform the public about the impacts of teen and unintended pregnancy on individuals and the community. There are direct correlations between juvenile justice and teen pregnancy and poverty. In fact, the sons of teen mothers are 13 percent more likely to end up in prison than sons of mothers who delay childbearing even a few years.

Teen incarceration is a major concern for many family advocates in Wisconsin. The reasons for high incarceration rates are multiple. A major contributing factor is current state law, which automatically treats 17 year olds as adults. As a result of being convicted as an adult, a youth will have a permanent record and can be denied important opportunities for future success, including admission to college or gaining employment that pays a living wage.

During the discussion, members of the community learned about proactive legislation being proposed by Representative Grigsby that would raise the age that youth are automatically charged as adults in the criminal justice system from 17 to 18.  Participants also learned ways to get involved with efforts to improve individual health and the health of the community.  To get involved or for more information, contact Sarah.Noble@ppwi.org.

Paid for by Planned Parenthood Advocates of Wisconsin, a 501(c)(4) qualified non-profit corporation, Lisa Boyce, Treasurer.
Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's agent or committee.