National Challenge of Nevada Law Forcing Juveniles to Plea

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Nevada law on court process for juveniles challenged

CARSON CITY, Nev. (AP) -- National and state groups and individuals are challenging a Nevada law that makes juveniles admit guilt to charged crimes in efforts to avoid trial as an adult - but lets prosecutors use those admissions if juveniles end up in adult court anyway.

In a brief filed Wednesday in the state Supreme Court, the American Civil Liberties Union of Nevada, the national Juvenile Law Center, public defenders of Washoe and Clark counties and other groups and activists argued the law is unconstitutional.

The legal brief is in support of an appeal filed by two youths, identified only as William and Marques, from the Las Vegas area who were certified as adults in November, at age 17, in robbery cases. They were a year or two younger when the robberies occurred.

"Extorting an admission from juveniles for the purpose of avoiding transfer (to adult court) and then allowing the use of such admissions to support transfer and ultimately guilt at the trial stage is completely at odds with the standard of fundamental fairness required in juvenile proceedings," the brief states.

Nevada Appeal