A Letter from the Youth Who Wrote This Handbook
Hi there,
If you’re reading this letter, it means you’ve had some contact with the juvenile justice system. We’ve been there. All of us have also been in the system.
We want you to know this is not the end of your story. It’s just one stop on your journey — and you still have many good paths ahead.
We hope you’ll take part in your case and speak up for yourself. Ask questions. Be open to learning. Be respectful to others and to yourself.
The more you understand what’s going on, the more you can help yourself. That’s why we made this handbook — to help guide you through the system and give you helpful information.
We know you might be feeling nervous, confused, or even scared. That’s okay. We felt the same way. You are not alone. What you think and feel matters. You are an important part of what’s happening.
The juvenile justice system works best when everyone works together — youth, families, lawyers, judges, and others. We all want to help you succeed and keep our communities safe.
One of the best things you can do is talk to your lawyer and the judge. Let them know what you need and how you’re doing.
Your future is full of possibilities. This is just one chapter in your story. Keep going!
With care and support,
Diego, Jessica, Mason, Romeo, & Tyasian
The Juvenile Justice Advisory Board
Who Created This Handbook?
This handbook was created by members of the Juvenile Justice Advisory Board (JJAB) to help new youth and their families as they enter the juvenile justice system. The JJAB was created in 2024 to include the voices of youth with lived experience and use their stories and experiences to help juvenile judges in Oregon better understand the youth coming before them, and to help inform the decisions they make.
JJAB members were all in this same situation at one time and wished they had received something like this handbook to help them understand what they were going through!