Friday, October 13, 2017
Delaware Juvenile Justice Reforms Signed into Law
Gov. John Carney, D-Delaware, signed three bills Thursday that aim to divert juveniles away from the criminal justice system in Delaware—where about 3,000 juveniles are arrested per year.
The pieces of legislation aim to ensure juveniles have access counsel, to increase social services for youth and to divert teenagers from Superior Court. One measure, sponsored by state Rep. David Bentz, D-Christiana, ensures juveniles understand their right to counsel and dictates a waiver of counsel cannot be approved until an attorney has explained the defendant’s rights...