Vermont Youth Reconviction Rates Fell Under Reform

A new report shows significant declines in reconviction rates for teenagers processed in the state's family courts.

Updated on Oct. 14, 2026 in Criminal Justice

Bold flat-color editorial illustration of a geometric courthouse facade, evoking themes of justice reform. — A new report from the Crime Research Group indicates that Vermont's juvenile court reforms have significantly reduced recidivism rates among teenagers. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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The Crime Research Group released a report on October 1, 2026, finding that Vermont teenagers processed in juvenile courts saw much lower reconviction rates than those in adult court. This evaluation follows the 2020 rollout of the state's Raise the Age reform.

Why it matters

The report was commissioned to evaluate outcomes of the Raise the Age reform, which supporters argue provides developmentally appropriate services for young people. It highlights the potential success of diversion programs in reducing recidivism compared to adult criminal proceedings.

The study analyzed 377 cases of 18-year-olds processed through the Family Division since 2020. Officials noted that nearly half of these cases ended in diversion, a process requiring admission of responsibility and restorative justice.

The players

Crime Research Group

This research entity specializes in analyzing outcomes and data within the criminal justice system.

The details

Data indicates that juvenile cases ended in diversion at nearly twice the rate of adult proceedings in 2024. These outcomes reflect a shift toward restorative justice processes rather than traditional adult criminal conviction pathways.

Vermont's Raise the Age law first took effect in 2020.
A baseline study on reconviction was published by the Crime Research Group in 2022.
Comparative diversion rates were recorded during 2024.
The new reconviction report was released on October 1, 2026.
The Raise the Age law is scheduled to include 19-year-olds in 2027.

Legal Context

This study evaluates the success of Vermont's Raise the Age law by comparing current juvenile court data against historical baseline metrics from adult court proceedings. The results underscore an ongoing shift toward restorative justice models that prioritize rehabilitation over traditional adult incarceration for minors.

The findings suggest that the state's current juvenile justice framework is successfully lowering recidivism for young offenders compared to the adult system. Residents can expect the continued use of diversion and restorative justice as the law prepares for expansion in 2027.

The takeaway

Restorative justice and diversionary programs appear to offer a viable alternative to the adult court system for younger offenders. These results provide critical evidence for policymakers as they prepare to raise the age threshold for juvenile court jurisdiction in 2027.