SPLC Attorney to Speak in Support of Juvenile Justice Reform Bill

Ebony Howard, a managing attorney for the Southern Poverty Law Center, will speak in support of state Sen. Vivian Figures’ bill, SB 324, before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Wednesday, March 23. The bill aims to keep troubled youths out of the adult criminal justice system, where they are more likely to be victimized and deprived of rehabilitative services.

“This group of children is vulnerable and needs services that are simply not available in the adult system,” Howard said. “SenatorFigures’ bill will help ensure that the state gives young people an opportunity to turn their lives around rather than needlessly sending them into the adult system where they are likely to be victimized.”

Alabama charges approximately 1,000 children as adults each year. Under state law, children between the ages of 14 through 17 may be sent into the adult system by a juvenile court judge for any crime. Those who are 16 or 17 are automatically charged as adults – or “direct-filed” – for certain crimes.

Research shows that sending children into the adult criminal justice system is not an effective way to rehabilitate young people or improve public safety.

Among other provisions, SB 324 seeks to repeal the state statute requiring all 16- and 17-year-olds charged with certain crimes to be tried as adults; limit the number of offenses eligible for transfer to the adult system; and prohibit any child under the age of 18 from being held in adult facilities.