News Release
For Immediate Release
October 19, 2011
Contact: Aaron Zappia
(215) 657-7700

Senate Approved Greenleaf's Juvenile Justice Amendments 

Today, the Pennsylvania Senate voted to approve Senator Greenleaf's legislation amending the state's Juvenile Act to ensure greater protections for juvenile offenders in light of the judicial abuses that occurred in Luzerne County between 2005 and 2008.  Many juvenile's rights were violated because they were denied representation by an attorney and as a result were placed in detention centers for minor offenses. 

The legislation responds directly to the circumstances of the Luzerne cases by changing the purpose clause of the Juvenile Act to ensure that the least restrictive punishments are used and confinement be a last resort.  Under SB 850, the law will presume that all juvenile defendants are indigent in order to have each juvenile represented by an attorney. 

SB 850 would ensure more equitable treatment of juveniles and offer them the same protections whether they are tried in juvenile court or before a magisterial district judge for a summary offense. 

The legislation also streamlines the expungement of records that result from cases before the juvenile court and magisterial district judges. 

The bill also defines the crime of cyber bullying by minors.  These activities would only be considered a crime if a minor knowingly transmits an electronic message or photo to harm or harass another person. 

"This is a critical measure to provide for the fair treatment of all juvenile offenders in Pennsylvania," said Senator Greenleaf.  "In most cases, these young people are very amenable to treatment and will go on to live crime-free lives.  Unfortunately, this legislation results from an extreme abuse of judicial power.  I hope this legislation will help prevent such actions in the future.  I thank my colleagues in the Senate for acting on this important issue."

 Senate Bill 850 Summary