Bulletins

There are notable changes to the data we are collecting in FFY2021 due to revised State and Federal laws. First, Missouri raised the age of juvenile court jurisdiction. While initially there was disagreement on the effective date, both the State Legislature and Missouri Supreme Court have confirmed the juvenile court’s jurisdiction for those 17 or younger when the offense was committed ON OR AFTER July 1, 2021. (See the Tool for Law Enforcement to Determine Adult Inmate vs. Juvenile Status under RTA for additional details.) Second, certified juveniles are now to remain in juvenile facilities during trial. However, there is an exception allowing the transfer of a certified juvenile to an adult jail subject to specific criteria and rigorous review requirements. The DPS is required to collect data and monitor compliance with these requirements.  

To ensure necessary data is collected, the DPS created two new fillable log sheets. One is the Log of 17-year-olds and Certified Juveniles Detained or Confined. This fillable form is necessary to distinguish 17-year-old adults from 17-year-old juveniles during the transition, and identify any certified juveniles placed in adult jails. The second is the Log of Juvenile Contact with Adult Inmates. This will aid in reporting any Contact with adult inmates. Both new logs are in addition to the traditional juvenile reporting log sheet already widely used.

For more information on the federal requirements and regulations regarding juvenile holding, visit our website. Information on Missouri’s new age of legal majority is available in Chapter 211 RSMo and Missouri Supreme Court case law at:  SC99034, State of Missouri v. R.J.G and SC98951, State ex rel. T.J. v. The Honorable Terry Cundiff

We appreciate all your assistance with the survey as the State makes the transitions. If there are any questions about the survey, the requested data, or the State’s juvenile holding rules, please contact us directly.  

Chris Yeager, Compliance Monitor
Missouri Department of Public Safety
Chris.Yeager@dps.mo.gov or (573) 526-1931