In 2015, the faculty of the Juvenile Justice Clinic established the Georgetown Law Juvenile Justice Initiative in order to increase Georgetown’s commitment and capacity to tackle the most pressing issues facing the juvenile legal system, including the over-criminalization of youth, the racial and economic disparities that exist within the system, and the inadequate legal representation far too many youth receive. The Initiative is designed to explore and advance new policies and programs to assist young people and to train juvenile defenders across the nation as the Clinic continues its core mission of educating law students and representing youth accused of crime. Operating at the National, Regional, and Local level, the mission of the Juvenile Justice Initiative is to advocate for a smaller, better, and more just juvenile legal system in the District of Columbia, the Mid-Atlantic region, and across the country.
Research & Publications
D.C. Justice Lab & Georgetown Juvenile Justice Initiative release: Demanding a More Mature Miranda for Kids
New Proposal from D.C. Justice Lab and Georgetown Juvenile Justice Initiative:
Bare minimum Miranda warnings fail to fully protect children because they do not accommodate for a child’s high susceptibility to pressure and limited cognitive ability. Black children are disproportionately affected by the grave insufficiencies of the Miranda doctrine because it fails to consider the unique vulnerabilities of Black youth experience when interacting with the police.
As residents, law students, attorneys, and members of the community, we urge the D.C. Council to protect children from Miranda’s shortcomings by requiring, prior to any custodial interrogation, that (1) law enforcement provide youth with expanded warnings; (2) youth be provided a reasonable opportunity to consult with counsel; and (3) waivers will only be valid if they are knowing, intelligent, voluntary, and made in the presence of counsel.
D.C.'s Justice Systems: An Overview
The Georgetown Juvenile Justice Initiative was proud to collaborate with the Public Welfare Foundation on their latest report D.C.'s Justice Systems: An Overview, providing a snapshot of the District’s journey to create a more safe and just community for its residents. While much work remains in addressing the racial and socioeconomic disparities in DC’s justice system, there is also opportunity for our nation’s capital to serve as a model of best practice in criminal justice reform. Take a closer look at the stakeholders, issues, and opportunities that drive the District’s justice systems by reading the full report