The American Bar Association Juvenile Justice Center is conducting a nationwide review of state juvenile defense systems to determine whether those systems protecting children's constitutional and statutory rights. To date, 12 states' juvenile defense systems have been evaluated.

Collectively, the reports paint a disturbing picture, indication that too many children, particularly of color, fall victim to conveyer belt justice - with kids rushed through a system riddled with institutional flaws without regard for their individual cases or needs. The net result, said ABA President Dennis W. Archer, "is a massive misdirection of resources that fails children, and undermines public safety."