Juvenile Justice – National District Attorneys Association

NDAA is dedicated to supporting juvenile court prosecutors as a national provider of training and technical assistance on a wide range of topics including charging decisions, diversion, evidence, preparing for hearings and trials, and building relationships between youth and law enforcement.  

Role of the Juvenile Court Prosecutor

The role of the juvenile court prosecutor is multifaceted. Juvenile court prosecutors play a key role in ensuring that juvenile crime in communities is being addressed fairly; that efforts are being made to prevent such crime; that youth are receiving positive interventions and appropriate services to reduce re-offending; and that victims and witnesses are being supported.   

Juvenile court prosecutors make decisions on a daily basis regarding case assessments/investigations, charging, plea bargaining, disposition/sentencing and overall legal strategy. They work closely with victims, witnesses and members of law enforcement. They also spend time in communities, including speaking at schools, and attending community events in order to share information about juvenile justice and learn from community members and other stakeholders.  

The current approach to juvenile delinquency balances community safety, the youth’s accountability to victims and communities, and the rehabilitative and treatment needs of the youth. These goals, as a comprehensive response to juvenile delinquency, encourage participation of all stakeholders to ensure optimal outcomes in the court system. Prosecutors embracing these goals have developed strategies to address juvenile justice issues such as developing programs to divert youth from the justice system and recommending community-based programs where appropriate, while also emphasizing accountability for the most serious offenders. The utilization of effective programs and interventions helps make communities safer and improves outcomes for youth. Juvenile court prosecutors are collaborating with community partners to promote public safety, address the needs of victims and witnesses, and hold youth accountable.   

For more information about NDAA’s juvenile justice work, including ways to get more involved, please contact Vice President of Education & Engagement, Lorena Vollrath-Bueno.  

The National District Attorneys Association remains committed to supporting access to information that advances justice and public safety.  While this material was originally supported by Federal grant funding, NDAA recognizes the continued value of these resources to prosecutors, other criminal justice practitioners, researchers, and the public. As such, we have chosen to keep these materials freely available.