Although initially embraced as an emergency measure, virtual proceedings continue to be utilized even as jurisdictions increasingly lift restrictions on in-person hearings. Before proceeding with virtual hearings, judges should be mindful of access to technology, constitutional implications, and the limitations of remote proceedings specific to youth.
Youth and the Juvenile Justice System: 2022 National Report is the fifth edition of a comprehensive report on youth victimization, offending by youth, and the juvenile justice system. With this release, the report series has…
In collaboration with the State Justice Institute and the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges (NCJFCJ), the publication Judicial Leadership and Key Tenets for Improving Outcomes for Families Impacted by Substance Use Disorders…
Juvenile court can be a stressful environment— for everyone. But for court-involved youth, it can also be embarrassing, confusing, and traumatic. Youth may fail to meet adults’ expectations to be respectful and compliant or to…
Congress passed the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) in 1978 to address the widespread practice of state entities removing American Indian and Alaskan Native children from their homes and families. Congress found “an alarmingly high…
Juvenile and family court professionals should work to positively impact the children and families involved in the justice system. Engaging people who have past involvement in the juvenile and family justice system can positively impact…
This bench card, created in partnership by the NCJFCJ and the National Juvenile Defender Center and funded by the State Justice Institute, is intended to assist judges in considering the consequences of juvenile court involvement that…
This Child Welfare Caseworkers’ Companion Guide to the NCJFCJ’s ENHANCED RESOURCE GUIDELINES has been developed with the goal of improving caseworker hearing practice in child abuse and neglect cases generally, but also with a focus on improving…
This brief publication provides introductory guidance on the intersection between faith, immigration, and domestic violence. This information is important for both advocates and court professionals, as many immigrant survivors of domestic violence turn to their…
This tip sheet provides key points for court professionals, advocates, and social workers on some of the most common ways that immigrant families in the child welfare system are affected by domestic violence and how…
Child welfare workers should be sensitive to the unique needs of victims of domestic violence who experience trauma from migration. Immigrant and refugee populations may have experienced severe trauma during migration, including physical and sexual…
The National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges’ (NCJFCJ) 2019 Annual Report, Reflection & Redefinition, looks back at the extraordinary achievements of the NCJFCJ in 2019. The members of the NCJFCJ are the driving…