Skip to main content

Juvenile Justice

Juvenile Justice Program Overview

PACER Center's Juvenile Justice Project serves parents and professionals in Minnesota through individual advocacy, training, and the ongoing development of new resources. PACER assists parents and professionals by:

  • Helping parents work with the courts
  • Informing parents and professionals on the educational rights of children and youth in short and long term correctional placements
  • Training police officers about mental health issues and youth's rights under federal law

PACER is committed to providing information about:

  • The overrepresentation of youth with disabilities in the justice system
  • The disproportionate number of persons of color in the justice system
  • The increasing number of youth referred to court for behaviors that should be addressed through an IEP
  • Matching disability needs with appropriate consequences, including educational and mental health services
  • Ensuring that youth receive special education and transition services while incarcerated
  • The development of outcome-based standards that promote accountability for both the child and the service providers

Juvenile Justice News

Correctional Education Guidance Package

Posted: June 17, 2015

The U.S. Departments of Education and Justice have published guidance documents on educating students in juvenile justice facilities. The documents identify best practices, summarize related civil rights laws, and clarify requirements related to students with disabilities. Read more>>>

Step by Step


School Discipline Guide

Parents of children with disabilities often ask:

  • Can the school send my child home before the end of the school day?
  • Can the school district suspend my child?
  • Can the school district expel my child?
  • What happens to my child’s educational services if he or she is sent home, suspended, or expelled?

This interactive guide will answer these and many other questions. Whether your child is on an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) or a Section 504 Plan, or if you suspect that your child has a disability that affects his or her behavior at school, this guide will help you understand the complex disciplinary process for Minnesota public school children with disabilities.

Begin >>>