Navigating the juvenile court system can be daunting for young people, often marked by embarrassment, confusion, and trauma. To address these challenges, the National Juvenile Defender Center has released a flyer, "Understanding Behavior & Using Language in Juvenile Court," to help system actors better respond to the unique needs of court-involved youth. It emphasizes recognizing behaviors perceived as disrespectful or defiant as manifestations of normal adolescent development or trauma responses, urging adults to consider the developmental context and potential layers of disability and trauma that youth may face.
The flyer highlights the impact of language on young people's self-perception and decision-making processes. It encourages the use of affirming and humanizing language to build a supportive court environment. By fostering compassion and empathy, the resource aims to break down barriers between youth and adults in the court system, offering self-reflection questions and practical strategies for responding to common behaviors, such as negative body language and emotional outbursts.
An illustrative quote from an incarcerated young person underscores the importance of understanding and empathy: “I act all tough and mean, but I’m really just a scared fish. I wish when I was a kid, someone would have thought to look for the goldfish, instead of just seeing me as a shark.” This new resource seeks to create a more compassionate and effective juvenile court system that truly considers the needs and experiences of young people. For more information and to access the full guide, visit the National Juvenile Defender Center's website.