Assemblymember Sharp Collins Opens Public Dialogue On Overhauling Youth Justice Penalties

In California, specific severe or violent offenses committed by minors can qualify as “strikes” under the state’s Three Strikes law, provided the individual is at least 16 during the incident. These juvenile “strikes” can perpetuate into adulthood, significantly elevating future sentences under the adult legislation. While juvenile records are sealed at 18, these felony strikes remain permanently attached and cannot be erased. Recently, some legislators and advocates for justice reform have advocated for the elimination of juvenile court adjudications as strikes leading to harsher adult penalties. Assemblymember LaShae Sharp-Collins (D-La Mesa), a member of the California Legislative Black Caucus, asserts that minors often lack essential due process protections. During a recent virtual event on Assembly Bill (AB) 1279, she emphasized the need for systemic reform in California’s juvenile justice practices. Jonathan Laba, a supervising attorney, noted the injustices embedded in utilizing juvenile adjudications as strikes, severely impacting youths' futures.