Attorneys, judges, and policymakers play a critical role in shaping outcomes within the justice system, often carrying more influence than the recommendations of child-serving professionals. This article explores why educating legal decision-makers on the latest research in adolescent development and effective interventions is essential to creating policies and practices that better serve young people.

This post examines what the research actually shows about youth sex offender registries. Drawing from multi-state policy analysis, juvenile court data, and decades of existing research, Dr. Rosenzweig discusses whether registries reduce offending, what unintended consequences emerge for youth and communities, and what policymakers should understand when evaluating registry laws through an evidence-based lens.

In part 3 of our series, we discuss current youth development research and how the development of capacities such as empathy, foresight, impulse control, and sound decision-making continues into their mid-twenties.

The article also discusses the various differences between the patterns of youth with problematic sexual behaviors as compared to adult offenders.

This article explores the impact of placing youth on sex offender registries, examining adolescent development, public safety outcomes, unintended harms to families, and evidence-based alternatives that better support rehabilitation.

This six-part series explores youth on sex offender registries through a juvenile justice lens, highlighting adolescent development, public safety research, and evidence-based, rehabilitative alternatives.