The Young Adult Court (YAC) of Orange County was founded in response to the misalignment between developmental research and the application of criminal justice policies for transitional-aged youths. The YAC is a collaboration between the Orange County Public Defender’s Office, the District Attorney’s Office, Probation Department, the Orange County Superior Court, Orangewood Foundation, and the University of California, Irvine.
Dr. Elizabeth Cauffman and her research team are evaluating the efficacy of the YAC in reducing recidivism and promoting prosocial outcomes. Without evidence on the effectiveness of YACs, the potential of YACs to reduce the impact of a criminal record remains untested. This project targets a segment of the population that is undergoing a crucial transition period and focuses on evaluating a social institution that has generated and exacerbated inequality. This study will improve criminal justice decision-making by providing evidence on the impact of YACs and to reduce the disproportionate impact of a record on minority young adults.
Click here to visit the Young Adult Court webpage
Learn more about the impact of this program from one of our recent graduates!