Laws - View Law: Juvenile Justice Reform

Being a teen isn’t easy. You sometimes find yourself looking for ways to fit in or to impress your friends. You may even find yourself breaking the LAW just to be part of action. Before you do something you may regret, there is something you need to know.

Lawmakers and voters feel that too many crimes are being committed by juveniles, victimizing too many innocent people. Because of this, the law in Arizona has changed to severely punish violent youthful offenders.

Kids might think juvenile court is a joke. A slap on the wrist and you’re out the door. They're Wrong! The punishment for juveniles in Arizona just got a lot tougher.

• Did you know that if you are 15, 16 or 17 years old, you are required to be tried as an ADULT if: you commit a specified violent crime ( murder, armed robbery, forcible sexual assault, or aggravated assault) or you are arrested for your third felony (which is any felony after being adjudicated on two prior felonies.)
• Did you know that some juvenile records are not confidential?
• Did you know that your parents must come to court with you?
• Did you know that your first driving under the influence conviction means 24 hours in detention and losing your driver’s license?
• Did you know that a conviction for graffiti results in a driver’s license suspension?
• Did you know that the destruction of juvenile records is not automatic?

Recent History of Juvenile Justice Reform
The Juvenile Justice Reform Act (or Senate Bill 1446)- was passed by the Arizona State Legislature to implement Proposition 102, which was passed by the voters in November of 1996. This law became effective on July 21, 1997.