Alameda County District Attorney Ursula Jones Dickson's approach contrasts sharply with her predecessor, prompting juvenile justice commissioners to voice concerns. They noted a significant increase in juvenile cases being transferred to adult court, labeling it a societal failure. Alfonso Mance emphasized the importance of rehabilitation rather than punishment for youth. Critics argue that charging more juveniles as adults undermines both moral values and evidence-based practices that advocate for intervention in the juvenile system. Jones Dickson's office has sought to transfer six teenagers charged with murder from juvenile to adult court since her appointment in February.
"It's my opinion that when we transfer children to adult court, we are admitting failure as a society for that child," said Alfonso Mance, an assistant public defender for the county. "These are folks who are supposed to be rehabilitated and returned to society."
Commissioner Vamsey Palaugummi stated that Jones Dickson's attempts to try more juveniles as adults is "draconian," arguing it will lead to severe consequences for children in adult incarceration.
"Cases that would be ordinarily diverted and dismissed are now being charged multiple times, which is not only antithetical to, I believe, the county's morals and values. It's antithetical to the research," Palagummi emphasized.
Ultimately, the main factor the judge has to decide is whether or not this young person is amenable or can be amenable to rehabilitation through the juvenile justice system."
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