A Minimum Age for California's Juvenile Legal System: Lessons on Collaborative Research to Drive Legislative Change

Abstract

Abstract: The Problem: Most U.S. states lack a minimum age of juvenile legal jurisdiction, which leaves young children vulnerable to a harsh, punitive system that causes lifelong adverse health and social outcomes. However, partnership between academics, advocates, and policymakers can catalyze legislative change to set minimum ages. Purpose of Article: We, an academic pediatrician and social worker, describe our stakeholder-policymaker-academic partnered research that led to the passage of California Senate Bill 439, which excludes children under age 12 from eligibility for juvenile legal prosecution. To stimulate future efforts, we also describe how the initial partnership led to a national coalition through which we are partnering with stakeholders across the United States to influence minimum age laws nationwide. Key Points: Stakeholder–policymaker–academic partners can contribute synergistically in the research-to-policymaking process. Conclusions: Through a stakeholder–policymaker–academic partnership, we were able to influence the passage of a minimum age law for the juvenile legal system in California. Lessons learned in this collaboration can be applied by researchers across disciplines who wish to influence policy.