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			SIGN DUC'S PETITION: PLEASE GO TO DUC'S PETITION AND SIGN THE PETITION FOR GOVERNOR SCHWARZENEGGER, ASKING HIM TO COMMUTE DUC'S SENTENCE. ****** CALIFORNIA VOTERS: VOTE YES ON PROPOSITION 66 TO FIX THREE STRIKES! **** BILLS MOVING THROUGH THE STATE LEGISLATURE - PLEASE READ! Senator Sheila Kuehl** has introduced two bills in the California Legislature relating to juvenile crime. We need your help in contacting your local representatives, URGING them to support the passage of these bills. Neither bill made it through all the steps, but we will be making another pass in the new year. Keep an eye open here for further details. * * * * STOP the Hatch/Feinstein Gang Legislation S. 1735, by writing Senators Dianna Feinstein, Orrin Hatch and Barbara Boxer, who is now co-sponsoring the bill. Let them know that our children are not a resource we are willing to lose. The bill did not make it through this session of Congress, but we cannot let it just quietly re-appear. We must let our voices be heard! Hatch/Feinstein Gang Legislation (S. 1735) Key Juvenile Provisions S. 1735 would increase the number of youth prosecuted as adults in Federal court Under current federal law A hearing must be held before any youth can be prosecuted as an adult in federal court, as the American Bar Association standards require Under S. 1735 proposed by Senators Hatch and Feinstein Prosecutors would have sole discretion to charge as adults youth 16 years of age or older who are alleged to have committed a serious violent felony (which could include such charges as robbery and firearms possession). The decision by the prosecutor would not be subject to appeal S. 1735 would attempt to “federalize” juvenile crime by radically expanding the number of youth that could be prosecuted in federal court Under current federal law Youth charged with a delinquent act can be prosecuted in federal court if a U.S. attorney certifies that one of the following exists: · A juvenile court in the state does not have jurisdiction or refuses to assume jurisdiction over the alleged act of delinquency · The State does not have available programs and services adequate for the needs of youth · The offense charged is a felony crime of violence or one of a series of serious drug or drug trafficking offenses and there is a substantial Federal interest in the case to warrant the exercise of Federal jurisdiction Under S. 1735 proposed by Senators Hatch and Feinstein Youth charged with a delinquent act could be prosecuted in federal court based only on the assertion of a U.S. attorney that there is a substantial Federal interest in the case to warrant the exercise of Federal jurisdiction S. 1735 Would Not Reduce Crime or Protect Young People Trying youth as adults does not reduce crime · Youth transferred to adult court, where they will receive little or no education, mental heath, or rehabilitative programming, are more likely to re- offend than those kept in the juvenile justice system, even compared to those charged with the same types of offenses · Of youth who commit new crimes, those sent to adult court re-offend at twice the rate and commit more serious crimes upon release than youth kept in juvenile court, Adult facilities are dangerous places for young people · Young people incarcerated with adults are five times as likely to report being raped, eight times as likely to attempt suicide, and 50% more likely to be assaulted with a weapon than youth held in juvenile facilities · Punishing young people involved in gang activity by sending them to adult facilities, where violence and exploitation are rampant, only reinforces the behaviors their incarceration is supposed to correct. Youth of color are most impacted by policies to try youth as adults Recent studies have shown that more than 7 out of 10 youth admitted to state prisons were youth of color. · Youth of color sent to adult court are over-represented in charges filed, especially for drug offenses, and are more likely to receive a sentence of incarceration than White youth even when charged with the same types of offenses. Removing youth from state juvenile justice systems greatly reduces their chances of receiving necessary treatment and intervention programs · The Federal system does not have any programs or facilities to accommodate young people Senator Dianne Feinstein United States Senate Hart Senate Office Building Suite 331 Washington, DC 20510 Senator Orrin Hatch Hart Senate Office Building Suite 105 Washington, DC 20510 Senator Barbara Boxer United States Senate 112 Hart Senate Office Building Washington, D.C. 20510 For more information, contact the Youth Law Center at either 202/637-0377 x115 or 415/543-3379 x3911 "I do not allow myself to be overcome by hopelessness, no matter how tough the situation." - Vandana Shiva, India Activist and Author ****** Additionally, consider the following: Educate yourself on the juvenile justice issues facing your local community. Let your voice be heard by being an educated Voter!** Push for new legislation that keeps valuable kids from going down the toilet. New legislation that calls for re-opening of juvenile life cases at a certain point (perhaps juvenile life age of 25) to review the facts and make sure the sentence is appropriate, changing it if it isn’t.