Oklahoma Policy Institute releases report of reforms for youth justice system
OKLAHOMA CITY (KOKH) — The Oklahoma Policy Institute released its latest report, a landscape analysis of Oklahoma's youth justice system and suggested reforms.
House Bill 3205, authored by Rep. Talley and Sen. Garvin, would eliminate youth court fees, which is something the Oklahoma Policy Institute says they greatly support.
The report from the Oklahoma Policy Institute shows issues with Oklahoma's youth justice system mirror problems seen in its adult justice system. Much like the adult justice system, children of color are over-represented and the state's over-reliance on fines and fees to fund core operations strips essential dollars from households, strains family relationships, and increases criminal behavior.
The reports from the institute proposed reforms that would include ensuring quality legal counsel for justice-involved children, establishing a minimum age of criminal responsibility in Oklahoma and eliminating court fees for juveniles, which is essentially what HB 3205 aims to do.
HB 3205 passed the House with a unanimous vote of 97-0. The bill will now move on to the Senate for further consideration.
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