Families Push Juvenile Justice Reforms in California
Roughly 50 families from the Victims of Teenage Crime group called for changes to how juveniles are tried and rehabilitated.
Updated on Nov. 11, 2026 in Criminal Justice
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Families of victims of violent juvenile crimes called for reforms to California's juvenile justice system during a virtual meeting on Tuesday. The group Victims of Teenage Crime is advocating for looser standards for trying juveniles in adult court for crimes such as homicide.
Why it matters
The group argues that victims' families need accountability for young offenders and community safety improvements. Its push targets the transfer process and rehabilitation programs meant to reduce repeat offending among minors.
The advocacy group is pressing for changes to the transfer standards that govern when juveniles can be tried in adult court. No specific bill or timeline for legislative action was provided at the meeting.
The players
Victims of Teenage Crime
An advocacy group made up of roughly 50 families from across California whose members have been affected by violent crimes committed by juveniles.
California State Sheriff's Association
A statewide association representing California's county sheriffs, which has taken positions on criminal justice policy.
The details
At the virtual meeting, families presented their positions alongside a juvenile justice expert, and Sutter County Sheriff Brandon Barnes spoke on behalf of the California State Sheriff's Association. The group is also seeking restructured rehabilitation programs to lower the number of repeat offenders, and it wants to reduce harm to victims' families throughout the judicial process.
Timeline
Early 20th century: California's juvenile justice system was established to keep young children from being incarcerated alongside adults.
Tuesday: Families called for juvenile justice reforms at the virtual meeting.
Legal Context
The push centers on Section 707 of California's Welfare and Institutions Code, which sets the process for transferring certain juvenile offenders to adult court and has been repeatedly amended by the legislature. The group's call for looser transfer standards would revisit a statute that has already changed many times.
Proposed changes to transfer standards could affect how juvenile cases are handled in California courts, including whether certain minors face adult sentencing. Residents following local public safety debates may see these reforms come up in future policy discussions.
The takeaway
Reform debates over juvenile crime often hinge on how the system balances accountability for victims with rehabilitation for minors. Following how Section 707 is amended over time shows where lawmakers draw that line.
Further reading
For more on the system at the center of this debate, see Criminal Justice coverage.
Source note: This article includes information reported by KCRA.
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Should California make it easier to try teenagers as adults for homicide?
