"When I Die, They'll Send Me Home"

"When I Die, They'll Send Me Home" – A Human Rights Perspective on Juvenile Justice in California

In California children as young as 14 years old are tried in adult courts and given prison sentences meant for adults. The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and other international treaties require that children under age 18 be treated differently from adults when accused of a crime. Elizabeth Calvin, Senior Advocate in the Children's Rights Division of Human Rights Watch, has been at the forefront of a coalition advocating to change California law so that it reflects the capacity of young people to change and mature. Elizabeth will describe her research and advocacy on juvenile justice in California, as well as the work of Human Rights Watch. As a lawyer, advocate, and author of several Human Rights Watch reports, Elizabeth will also discuss the process and challenges she has faced with collecting data and analyzing the results.

About the Speaker

Elizabeth Calvin is an attorney and Senior Advocate for the Children's Rights Division of Human Rights Watch, where she works for the rights of children in the juvenile justice and foster care systems.  An advocate for over 25 years, she investigates human rights violations, publishes findings, organizes others to support a change in law, and lobbies legislators to take action.