What is this bill about?
AB 22 would significantly expand the number of youth prosecuted in the adult criminal system and open the door for children under age 12 to enter the juvenile justice system.
Why doesn’t it align with yli’s values?
AB 22 would reinstate practices from a deeply troubling period in California history during which thousands of young people, primarily youth of color, were prosecuted as adults, faced adult prison terms, and were denied the rehabilitative services of the youth justice system. AB 22 would also eliminate a minimum age of juvenile court jurisdiction, meaning children as young as five years old could once again face formal court processing, detention, and even incarceration. Additionally, AB 22 would force youth to register as sex offenders and would prevent the release of individuals under the Sexually Violent Predator Act (SVPA) who are no longer dangerous into the community.
yli partners with thousands of youth across the state, the majority of whom are low-income youth of color. We witness first hand the brutal impacts of our state’s harmful “justice” system on their lives, and are staunch advocates of measures that will reduce the criminalization and incarceration of our communities – especially youth.
This policy aligns with our Racial Justice Platform, which addresses the impacts of the carceral system on communities of color.
What is yli doing about it?
We have just submitted a letter OPPOSING this bill, and we are showing our support on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
Who else opposes this bill?
- Sister Warriors Freedom Coalition
- Alliance for Boys & Men of Color