Youth Justice Legislative Priorities

Ohio levies harsh punitive measures on adolescents that do not ultimately make communities safer or return youth home better off; on the contrary, they often leave facilities more traumatized than when they first arrived.

By Pat Gleydura

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Senate Bill 297 - Opponent Testimony

The ACLU of Ohio rejects any attempt to limit and outlaw constitutionally protected free speech, even speech we, you, and others may find abhorrent.

By Gary Daniels

ohio statehouse graphic with red podium and microphone

Greater CLE Youth Justice Collective: Response to Negative Media Coverage

The Greater CLE Youth Justice Collective is concerned about a negative trend in the way various community stakeholders discuss court-involved youth in greater Cleveland.

By Celina Coming

Hands reaching with Cleveland skyline

Lameduck 2024: Overview + Resources

Every even-year election, as lawmakers prepare for the next General Assembly, we enter the “Lameduck period,” taking place between Election Day and the start of the new session.

By Sheila Smith

statehouse with various issue posters

Breaking Down the Governor's Juvenile Justice Working Group

In November 2023, Governor Mike DeWine announced the formation of a Juvenile Justice Working group to right the ship and set Ohio’s youth justice system back on a path towards progress.

By Pat Gleydura

Cleveland skyline with desks and hands reaching out to each other

Firewall for Freedom: We are Ready to Fight

As we enter a second Trump Administration and the path to protecting the civil rights and liberties of all Americans, one thing is crystal clear: We have a plan.

By Sheila Smith

Firewall for Freedom: We are Ready to Fight

Ohio Can Positively Improve our Youth Justice Systems. It’s time to Adopt the Existing Playbooks.

The goal of all youth legal systems is to ensure youth are given a developmentally appropriate chance to right their wrongs and move into adulthood on a more positive track.

By Carly Quenneville

Hands reaching for each other over Cleveland skyline

Purpose of the Youth Justice System

Youth justice systems were created to protect young people’s rights and focus on education and rehabilitation rather than punishment

By Pat Gleydura

Cleveland skyline with desks and hands reaching out to each other

Getting to know Youth Justice in Ohio

Juvenile justice systems were created to protect young people’s rights and focus on education and rehabilitation rather than punishment. Sadly, in recent years, Ohio institutions have drifted away from that original purpose.

By Carly Quenneville

Image of hands reaching for each other, the Cleveland skyline, and a classroom