This is an archive of the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention’s (OJJDP's) electronic newsletter OJJDP News @ a Glance. The information in this archived resource may be outdated and links may no longer function. Visit our website at https://www.ojjdp.gov for current information.
March | April 2015

News From the Federal Advisory Committee on Juvenile Justice

 

Federal Advisory Committee on Juvenile Justice logoOn April 20, 2015, the Federal Advisory Committee on Juvenile Justice (FACJJ) convened a webinar-facilitated meeting in Washington, DC. In his remarks, OJJDP Administrator Robert L. Listenbee noted that the current framework for OJJDP work incorporates three overarching areas—ensuring compliance with the four core protections of the JJDP Act, instituting Smart on Juvenile Justice programming, and reducing out-of-home placement.

Three FACJJ subcommittees on Expungement and Confidentiality of Records, Legislation, and Research and Publications provided an update on their activities and presented their recommendations to the full FACJJ.  The FACJJ approved a number of these recommendations.

The Expungement and Confidentiality of Records subcommittee explores issues pertinent to the confidentiality, sealing and expungement of juvenile records.  At the webinar meeting, Riva Saha Shah, staff attorney at the Juvenile Justice Law Center, shared findings from the center’s Failed Policies, Forfeited Futures: A Nationwide Scorecard on Juvenile Records. “Every state is failing,’ she said, “in providing enough privacy protection for juveniles with police or court records.”

FACJJ voted to approve the recommendations of the Expungement and Confidentiality of Records Subcommittee which included—

  • Researching the legal basis of appropriate federal jurisdictions to devise a minimum standard for expungement, sealing, and confidentiality.
  • Researching methods of access to records throughout the states, territories, and the federal government.
  • Considering federal jurisdiction and creating regulatory and statutory suggestions regarding the sale of juvenile records.
  • Developing training and technical assistance guidelines for states.

The Legislation subcommittee will examine how FACJJ can enhance its role in providing OJJDP with input on legislative proposals and strengthening opportunities for State Advisory Groups to communicate the impact of legislation on state juvenile justice initiatives and reforms.

FACJJ also listened to report-outs from the Research and Publications Subcommittee and voted to explore recommendations for increasing publicity of OJJDP evidence-based practice results and creating a database of state research and OJJDP-funded projects.

FACJJ meetings are open to the public; anyone may register to attend and observe. Additional information is available on the committee's website.

 

The Federal Advisory Committee on Juvenile Justice is a consultative body established by the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act of 1974, as amended (Section 223), and is supported by OJJDP. Composed of members of state advisory groups on juvenile justice, the committee advises the President and Congress on matters related to juvenile justice, evaluates the progress and accomplishments of juvenile justice activities and projects, and advises the OJJDP Administrator on the work of OJJDP.