Youth

NH Supreme Court to Review $425K Cap on $38M Jury Award in Youth Detention Center Abuse Case

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Concord, NH — A landmark legal case in New Hampshire, involving allegations of severe abuse at the state’s Youth Development Center (YDC), has escalated to the New Hampshire Supreme Court following a dramatic ruling. Previously, a jury had awarded a staggering $38 million in damages to David Meehan, a former resident who reported enduring horrific abuses at the center. However, due to a state-imposed cap on injury claims against the state, this amount was dramatically reduced to $425,000. The reduction has sparked a legal debate about the fairness and implications of such caps, particularly in … Read more

New Hampshire Supreme Court to Review $38 Million Award in Landmark Abuse Case at Youth Facility

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The state Supreme Court of New Hampshire is slated to hear David Meehan’s appeal concerning a historic $38 million jury award granted to him after a civil trial. The trial addressed the abuse he suffered at the Youth Development Center in the 1990s. Meehan’s case was notably the first among approximately 1,300 potential claims related to alleged decades-long abuses at the youth correctional facility. In May, the jury found the state fully responsible for Meehan’s traumatic experiences, awarding him $18 million in compensatory damages and an additional $20 million in enhanced compensatory damages. However, controversy … Read more

High-Speed Chase and Arrest Follow Theft of Youth Football League Equipment in Hopkinsville; Additional Indictments for Local Incidents

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Hopkinsville, KY – A series of legal actions have unfolded in Christian County with indictments handed down on charges ranging from theft to endangerment, underlining concerns about local crime. The grand jury’s decisions arrived on Friday, signaling a robust response from law enforcement to recent criminal activities. Among those indicted, 46-year-old James Phillips Jr. faces serious allegations after purportedly stealing a trailer filled with equipment from the Bud Hudson Youth Football League. Phillips, a resident of Hopkinsville, was arrested on January 19. The equipment and trailer theft is valued between $1,000 and $10,000, leading to … Read more

Vermont Advocates Push to Stop Delays to Youth Criminal Justice Reform Law, Urge Immediate Implementation

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MONTPELIER, Vt. — Advocates for criminal justice reform are calling on Vermont legislators to affirm their commitment to a pioneering statute designed to offer younger offenders a path to rehabilitation instead of incarceration. Enacted in 2020, Vermont’s “Raise the Age” law was the first in the nation to redefine the age of juvenile jurisdiction, initially including 18-year-olds within its scope. The legislation is rooted in studies suggesting that brain development continues into the early twenties, advocating that youthful errors should not lead to lifelong penalties under the justice system. Proponents argue that understanding this developmental … Read more