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State Transfer Laws

NCJ Number
191642
Author(s)
Richard E. Redding J.D.
Date Published
2000
Length
3 pages
Annotation
This paper presents a brief overview of State transfer laws for juveniles within the United States.
Abstract
Within the United States, 50 States have statutes where juveniles can be transferred to adult criminal court and tried as adults. In addition, there are three types of transfer laws: (1) automatic or legislative exclusion; (2) judicial-discretionary; and (3) prosecutorial-discretionary. Whether a transfer is automatic, prosecutorial, or judicial, the age at which transfers may occur varies among States. The State laws are sorted into groups according to four categories of offenses: (1) any crime; (2) capital crimes and murder; (3) certain violent felonies; and (4) certain crimes plus a prior record. The paper provided specific information on transfer law criteria, juvenile amenability to treatment, and juvenile competency. References