Speedier Juvenile Justice -- but at What Cost?

Three stories and a heads-up for the nation's capital.

Story No. 1

On Jan. 18, 2006, a 15-year-old D.C. youth in the custody of his legal guardian, his 22-year-old sister, skipped school. She allowed this because it was raining. That day, during school hours, he shot and killed his best friend while playing Russian roulette.

Eight days later, a court found probable cause to hold him, and he was placed in shelter care.

On May 5, the court ordered a psychiatric and a psychological examination. On May 19, he entered a plea of involvement to second-degree murder. The psychological evaluation was completed and faxed to the court on July 31; the psychiatric evaluation was dated July 27. So, both examinations were sent more than 80 days after they were ordered.

The 15-year-old tested positive for marijuana on six occasions, including on the day he was arrested and while in shelter care.

Story No. 2

After a three-week trial last spring, a 16-year-old youth was found involved in first-degree felony murder, first-degree child sex abuse and assault with a dangerous weapon.

The victim? His 4-year-old half-sister.

The youth admitted the sexual abuse. The preschooler's autopsy revealed blunt-force trauma that had crushed her liver. There was also damage to her head and spine and bleeding consistent with sexual assault.

On March 2, 2006, the day the youth was found involved, the court ordered a psychiatric evaluation and a psychological and psychosexual evaluation; disposition of his case was set for March 16.

Sixty days later, his psychological and psychosexual evaluation was completed. The psychiatric evaluation was completed 45 days after the court ordered it.

All the evaluations recommended residential placement for treatment. Disposition was continued by the court while the D.C. Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services found a place for him. On May 24, the agency reported that a placement had been secured and the 16-year-old was committed to the agency for a period not to extend past his 21st birthday.

Story No. 3

On Jan. 3, 2007, a 16-year-old youth entered a plea of involvement to two cases of third-degree sex abuse. Disposition was set for Feb. 23, and the court ordered a psychosexual evaluation. Fifty days after it was ordered, the evaluation was received.