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Concurrent Juvenile Jurisdiction

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Key Message

Military installations subject to exclusive federal jurisdiction often handle juvenile offenses through the federal court system. Adopting policies that allow for concurrent jurisdiction can open the door to state resources and juvenile courts, offering better solutions, including more rehabilitative approaches, tailored to address crimes and misdemeanors of juvenile offenders.

Analysis

Concurrent juvenile jurisdiction advances the national defense strategy by achieving the secretary of defense’s goal of succeeding through teamwork when states collaborate with the federal government. State legislatures have the authority to establish a legal mechanism that would permit juveniles on military installations to be adjudicated in state courts. The state office can achieve this through customized local agreements.

Insights

Historically, the federal government obtained exclusive jurisdiction over land by agreement with the owning state or maintained jurisdiction after forming a new state. However, as military installations welcome more civilians, the need to shift from exclusive to concurrent jurisdiction becomes evident.

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