Date: Thursday, November 16, 2006
Place: Pavilion Auditorium, Montpelier, Vermont
(near the State House and Vermont Supreme Court)
Time: 9:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Adolescent brain development will be the topic of a multi-disciplinary seminar held in Montpelier on November 16th. National experts, Dr. Thomas Grisso and Dr. Donna Bishop will present the current research on adolescent maturity, decision-making abilities, and how the justice system can improve outcomes for adolescents. The seminar is sponsored by the Vermont Bar Association, the Council on Children and Family Prevention, and the Office of the Juvenile Defender
Dr. Thomas Grisso, a national expert, professor, and author of numerous books and articles on juveniles, including: Youth on trial: a developmental perspective on juvenile justice and a Handbook of mental health screening and assessment in juvenile justice, will present the current research on juvenile brain development, maturity, culpability, and decision-making capabilities.
Dr. Donna Bishop, a professor from Northeastern University who has studied and written about the consequences of prosecuting juveniles in adult court and has written The Consequences of Transfer, will present current research on the relative outcomes between youths charged in juvenile and adult court.
Two panels of Vermont practitioners and policymakers will discuss their views on whether cases against 16 and 17 year old youths should be filed initially in juvenile court, and how to use strength based programs to address juveniles who reoffend.
For more information, please contact the Vermont Bar Association at (802) 223-2020, or Anna Saxman at (802) 828-3163.
