Updated June 20, 2025 Legislative Primer Series on Front-End Justice: Competency to Stand Trial This page provides an overview of the competency to stand trial restoration process in the states and approaches taken to address competency restoration waitlists including diversion, jail-based restoration and outpatient restoration. Civil and Criminal Justice Map
Updated June 18, 2025 Capital Punishment: Lawmakers Discuss the Cost of the Death Penalty Capital punishment continues to be a contentious issue in the United States, where each state has the autonomy to determine which crimes warrant the death penalty. Among the 27 states with capital punishment laws, premeditated murder and murder with aggravating circumstances are commonly deemed capital crimes. Civil and Criminal Justice State Legislatures News Video
Updated June 15, 2025 A New Approach to Competency to Stand Trial | OAS Episode 236 On this episode, we spoke with three people involved in efforts to reform the process used to determine a defendant's mental competency. In the U.S. legal system, an accused person must be able to understand the charges against them and assist their lawyer in preparing a defense. In practice, such defendants often spend long periods in confinement because of a shortage of behavioral health services. Civil and Criminal Justice Podcast
Updated May 31, 2025 First Appearance | May 2025 Youth Fellows convene in Denver and round up of front-end justice policy, research and news. Civil and Criminal Justice
Updated May 27, 2025 States Search for Balance in Use of Juvenile Solitary Confinement Most states have put at least some limits on the use of juvenile solitary confinement, which can be especially damaging to young people. Civil and Criminal Justice State Legislatures News
Updated May 19, 2025 Juvenile Justice Toolkit Juvenile justice is a perennial issue in the states that often requires considering the appropriate balance between healthy development of children and adolescents and the need to hold young offenders accountable and keep communities safe. Civil and Criminal Justice
Updated May 16, 2025 State Public Accommodation Laws All states with a public accommodation law prohibit discrimination on the grounds of race, gender, ancestry and religion. Civil and Criminal Justice Table
Updated May 08, 2025 Juvenile Justice Legislation Database Up to date, real time information about juvenile justice legislation that has been introduced or enacted in the 50 states and the District of Columbia. Civil and Criminal Justice Database
Updated May 08, 2025 Reentry and Criminal Records Enactment Database NCSL has partnered with Arnold Ventures to develop a database of state law enactments related to reentry and criminal records. Civil and Criminal Justice Database
Updated May 06, 2025 New NCSL Resource Examines Use of Solitary Confinement on Youth The National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) has released a new, first-of-its-kind resource exploring the use of solitary confinement on youth in juvenile justice systems across the country. Civil and Criminal Justice
Updated May 02, 2025 The Legislative Primer Series on Front-End Justice These reports are part of a series that explores policies that affect the front end of the criminal justice system. Each brief looks at who is entering the “front door” of the criminal justice system and gives examples of legislation, national initiatives, best practices, promising programs and key research on timely issues. The series provides legislatures with the tools they need to consider cost-effective policies that protect public safety. Civil and Criminal Justice
Updated April 30, 2025 First Appearance | April 2025 New Competency to Stand Trial Resources and a roundup of front-end justice policy, research and news. Civil and Criminal Justice