Massachusetts law about the juvenile justice system

Laws, cases, and web and print sources on juvenile justice system law.

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Massachusetts laws

Child Requiring Assistance (CRA)

MGL c. 119, § 21 Definitions

MGL c. 119, §§ 39E-39I Child requiring assistance

12 to 18  between 12 and 18 years old

Delinquent children

MGL c. 119, §§ 52-74 Juvenile justice for children between 12 and 18. See section 52 for definitions of “delinquent child” and “youthful offender”

MGL c. 233, § 20 Except in certain limited circumstances, a parent cannot testify against their minor child

MGL c. 276, §§ 100E-100U Lays out requirements for expungement of juvenile records

MGL c. 279, § 24 Determination of sentence for (youthful) offender aged 14 through 17

Juvenile Court

Massachusetts Juvenile Court Department

Court rules

Juvenile Court rules and standing orders

Forms

Juvenile Court forms

Selected cases

Selected court cases on the topic of the juvenile justice system and sentencing

Web sources

Bail for juveniles, Mass. Juvenile Court.
"Learn about the bail process for minors (children between 12 and 18) after they are arrested or detained. Juveniles are allowed bail, with some exceptions."

Child Requiring Assistance cases, Mass. Juvenile Court.
Find out what will happen in court, who may be involved, and what your rights are as a parent, legal guardian, or custodian in a Child Requiring Assistance (CRA) case.

Guide on the disclosure of confidential information: Court information, Mass. Juvenile Court.

JJPAD/CTTF legislative reports and key documents, Juvenile Justice Policy and Data Board.
Annual legislative reports issued by the Juvenile Justice Policy and Data Board (JJPAD) and the Childhood Trauma Task Force (CTTF).

Juvenile justice legal issues, Mass. Department of Youth Services (DYS)
An overview of the history of juvenile justice in Massachusetts and the current system in place.

Office of Juvenile Justice and Juvenile Delinquency Prevention
OJJDP’s mission is to provide national leadership, coordination, and resources to prevent and respond to youth delinquency and victimization. The Office helps states, localities, and Tribes develop effective and equitable juvenile justice systems that create safer communities and empower youth to lead productive lives.

The psychological science of adolescent behavior and decision-making is reshaping the juvenile justice system, by Zara Abrams, 53 American Psychological Association 48, November 1, 2022.

Quick reference on CRA (Child Requiring Assistance), Children's Law Center, March 2023.
A handy guide for child advocates in Massachusetts.

Print sources

Juvenile law, 2^nd Ed. (Mass. Practice v.44-44A), Thomson/West, 2006 with supplements.

Massachusetts Juvenile Court bench book, MCLE, 2011 with supplements.

Massachusetts juvenile delinquency and child welfare law sourcebook & citator, MCLE, annual.

Practitioner's guide to state intervention in the family, MCLE, 2023. Chapter 24, Children requiring assistance (CRA) proceedings; Chapter 29, Dually involved youth.

Last updated:	January 16, 2025