The Sentinel takes a closer look at how juveniles get charged in adult court and what happens when they do.
Part 1: A look at how Pennsylvania’s direct file law brings hundreds of youths into adult jails every year
Part 2: How offenses committed as juveniles land some on the sex offender registry years later
Part 3: What happens when a juvenile is brought into an adult jail
1
On any given day, dozens of children ages 14-17 are housed in adult jails in counties across Pennsylvania while facing charges in adult court.