We advocate for a justice system that treats kids as kids.

We advocate for a justice system that treats kids as kids.

Mission

To boldly address systemic failures in the justice system through advocacy and innovative evidence-based programs that improve life outcomes for youth and emerging adults.

Vision

We see a justice system that’s fair, humane, and tailored to young people—one that supports their growth, respects their dignity, and keeps communities safe, all while using resources wisely.

Strategy

Young people are not just smaller adults—they think, learn, and grow differently. That’s why research shows they need a justice system that understands their unique needs. We’re pushing for smarter, fairer ways to address behavior that focus on second chances, opportunity, and equity—not punishment. Together, we’re building a better path forward for youth, emerging adults, and our communities.

Transforming Lives | Transforming Justice 

The Problem

Texas faces a real challenge: thousands of young people are slipping through the cracks. These are youth and young adults, ages 16-24, who aren’t in school or working. Many of them live in communities struggling with poverty, where the odds seem stacked against them. In places like South Dallas, nearly one-third of families are below the poverty line, and these same areas see some of the highest incarceration rates in the state.

The connection isn’t hard to see. Poverty and lack of opportunity often lead to mistakes, and our current justice system doesn’t focus on helping young people turn their lives around. Instead, it traps them in a cycle of punishment and failure. But there’s good news: research shows that there’s a better way.

Programs that meet young people where they are—focused on mentorship, job training, and community support—work. They cost less, prevent reoffending, and help youth become productive members of society. The data backs it up. For example, workforce programs like LSJA’s have an astonishingly low 2% recidivism rate. Compare that to the high costs of incarceration, and it’s clear: helping young people succeed isn’t just good for them—it’s smart for taxpayers and communities too.

It’s time to move away from outdated, one-size-fits-all punishments. Instead, we can focus on solutions that give young people a second chance and help them build a future. When we do, we’ll see stronger communities, safer neighborhoods, and a brighter future for everyone.

The Solution

Advocacy | Strategic Litigation |Community-Based Programming

Advocacy

LSJA is leading a multi-pronged effort at the state and local levels to transform Texas’s youth justice system by exposing inhumane conditions in juvenile facilities, advancing policy reforms through legislative advocacy, convening stakeholders to develop and implement community-driven solutions and using data to inform strategies that prioritize youth safety, diversion and equitable outcomes.

Strategic Litigation

LSJA upholds and enforces constitutional rights for young people through pro bono legal services, partnerships with defense counsel, expert legal resources and government accountability efforts. Its multifaceted legal strategies prevent system involvement, keep youth out of adult courts and reduce the harm of incarceration. LSJA selects cases with the most serious constitutional violations, addressing issues such as extreme sentencing, surveillance overreach, inadequate defense and coercive interrogations. Clients receive high-quality legal advocacy with the goal of securing release, parole or record clearance, and LSJA also trains incarcerated individuals to prepare their own appeals and records requests.

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WITH LSJA

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Awards & Honors

Recent Awards & Honors Received by LSJA & Our Talented Staff

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Project Partners