By Myles Bess, KALW Crosscurrents
Standing in the hallway outside a hearing room at the Alameda County Juvenile Justice Center, you see benches filled with teenagers and their families–waiting to appear in court–many dressed up in button-down shirts and ties, looking their Sunday best. A lot of moms, too, and little brothers and sisters who would clearly rather be elsewhere.
Many teens are here for trials and probation hearings, but on any given day, others are trying to negotiate fines and fees.
The bill starts adding up before the courtroom—when you are arrested. Even if you are innocent, in Alameda County, the investigation alone will cost you 250 bucks.
Read the complete story at KALW Crosscurrents.
To read about the entire series, visit Double Charged: Youth Radio Reporters on Their Series About the True Cost of Juvenile Justice
