Elizabeth Cauffman, professor of psychological science, talks about the Orange County Young Adult Court and its first graduation in the Orange County Register. An excerpt:
UCI’s Elizabeth Cauffman, professor of psychological science, helped launch the program in 2018 after receiving a $780,000 grant from the National Institute of Justice. Now she hopes to keep it going with another cash infusion.
Cauffman specializes in adolescent brain development, leading her to question a justice system that permanently punishes youthful misdeeds.
The brain’s frontal lobe, which governs impulse control and decision making, does not completely mature until the age of about 25, Cauffman said. “Before then, we are at the highest risk for doing stupid stuff.”
“Most kids grow out of crime,” she added. “Studies over the past 100 years show that, statistically, criminal acts peak at around 20 years of age. Crime drops dramatically starting at the age of 25.”
Stealing a bike valued at more than $950 can earn someone a felony, Cauffman said, thereby closing the door to educational scholarships and a host of jobs.
“In California, you can’t get a dog-walking license with a felony on your record,” Cauffman said. “People can change. Why should they wear that scarlet letter the rest of their lives?”
Young Adult Court does not simply let offenders off the hook.
“We still hold people accountable,” Cauffman said. “It’s not ‘whether to’ but ‘how to.’ This court takes brain developmental research and applies it to the legal system.”