Professional Opinions on Jurisdictional Waivers in Hamilton County’s Juvenile Justice System
Start Date
April 2025
Location
2nd floor - Library
Abstract
The juvenile justice system, though modeled after the adult criminal system, has distinct differences. Juvenile court is categorized as a special civil court and focuses on the offender over the offense. One of juvenile court’s unique processes is known as a jurisdictional waiver (known informally as ‘bindover’). When a jurisdictional waiver is granted, a youth is transferred into adult court to be charged criminally. In Ohio, these waivers can either be discretionary (the judge or magistrate decides if they will waive the youth) or mandatory (a youth meets a number of criteria and must be waived). Jurisdictional waivers have been controversial within the field, due to the differences in goals and resources between the adult and juvenile justice systems. This study examines the opinions and beliefs of professionals that work within Hamilton County’s Juvenile Justice system about bindover. Surveys were distributed to offices that regularly have contact with youth clients in a juvenile justice setting via email. General opinions, as well as specific opinions of mandatory and discretionary waivers will be analyzed. The results from this study can help to inform advocacy efforts at trial litigation and local government levels.
Professional Opinions on Jurisdictional Waivers in Hamilton County’s Juvenile Justice System
2nd floor - Library
The juvenile justice system, though modeled after the adult criminal system, has distinct differences. Juvenile court is categorized as a special civil court and focuses on the offender over the offense. One of juvenile court’s unique processes is known as a jurisdictional waiver (known informally as ‘bindover’). When a jurisdictional waiver is granted, a youth is transferred into adult court to be charged criminally. In Ohio, these waivers can either be discretionary (the judge or magistrate decides if they will waive the youth) or mandatory (a youth meets a number of criteria and must be waived). Jurisdictional waivers have been controversial within the field, due to the differences in goals and resources between the adult and juvenile justice systems. This study examines the opinions and beliefs of professionals that work within Hamilton County’s Juvenile Justice system about bindover. Surveys were distributed to offices that regularly have contact with youth clients in a juvenile justice setting via email. General opinions, as well as specific opinions of mandatory and discretionary waivers will be analyzed. The results from this study can help to inform advocacy efforts at trial litigation and local government levels.
