The IRE Resource Center is a major research library containing more than 23,250 investigative stories — both print and broadcast. These stories are searchable online or by contacting the Resource Center directly (573-882-3364 or rescntr@ire.org) where a researcher can help you pinpoint what you need. Browse or search the tipsheet section of our library below. Stories are not available for download but can be easily ordered by contacting the Resource Center:
Search results for "juveniles charged as adults" ...
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Missing the mark
The Reporter analyzed 1,376 cases where juveniles faced gun charges in adult felony courts between 2006 and 2010. The Reporter randomly selected hard copies of court files for 90 cases -- which represents 57 percent of convictions in 2009 -- and found: -One in four teens was never clearly identified as having had a gun -A gun was recovered in only 46 percent of the cases
Tags: gun; juvenile; conviction; arms; crime;
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Justice By Geography
Years after the 2000 Gang Violence and Juvenile Crime Prevention Act passed in California, Orange County-area prosecutors "top the list of district attorneys who most use the discretionary waiver to charge teens as young as 14 as adults." The original act was meant to "target hardcore gang members and juvenile offenders who commit heinous, violent crimes." Among the stories is the tale of Rene Garcia, who faces a life sentence for murder, even though he did not pull the trigger.
Tags: juvenile justice; juvenile offenders; juvenile crime; juveniles charged as adults; accessory
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Is This Justice?
The Post-Gazette was challenged by the chief judge of the juvenile system to watch and see how new "adult time" for youth offenders legislation worked out. That's just what they did. They found that young offenders sentenced as adults were more likely to re-offend; they usually spent less time in jail; and they were more likely to commit crimes while out on bail -- something not allowed in the juvenile system. The investigation also found that black youths were more likely to be charged as adults and were given much longer sentences than white offenders.
Tags: juvenile justice; sentencing; prison
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State Drug Law hits City Teens, Minorities
A Chicago Reporter investigation examines race as a factor in juvenile drug cases and draws the conclusion that "the law is not applied equitably." The story focuses on a provision of the Illinois Juvenile Court Act, which "automatically transfers to adult court 15- and 16-year-olds charged with selling drugs within the so-called "safe zones 1,000 feet of a school or public housing development." Among the major findings is the fact that 99 percent of the teens charged as adults are African American or Latino, though statistics show that "nationwide, illicit drug use is slightly higher among white teenagers than Blacks or Latino." The reporter points examples of white teenagers who have never been charged with dealing or possessing drugs, even though they have been sellers and users.
Tags: FOIA; minorities; suburbs; schools; public housing; juveniles; African American; Latino; courts