Home      Login

Abstract: 

In Canada and most U.S. states, the legal treatment of offenders changes dramatically when they reach age 18. However, there is no sharp change on their 18th birthday in cognitive functioning or offending careers. Many of the justifications for the special treatment of juveniles also apply to young adult offenders aged 18 to 24. This article reviews knowledge about brain development and life transitions in the young adult years, together with effective programs for older juvenile offenders that will prevent them from continuing to offend in their young adult years. It argues that young adult offenders are currently not receiving optimal treatment in Canada and the United States, and it discusses options to improve the legal processing of young adult offenders, including allowing them to be dealt with in the juvenile justice system, employing a “maturity discount,” and establishing special courts for offenders aged 18 to 24.

Keywords: Young adult offenders, developmental criminology, offending careers, brain development, life transitions

Affiliations:  1: Cambridge University (Emeritus).