After 17-year-old Cedric “CJ” Lofton died in law enforcement custody in September 2021, the community wanted answers. How did this happen? What went wrong? What could be changed to prevent such a thing from happening again? A community task force of 23 members was convened to find those answers and make recommendations for systemic change. […]
juvenile detention
Posted inWatchdog
Out of detention, into debt: How fines and fees bury young people in Kansas’ justice system
The moment a case is filed in juvenile court, the dollars owed rack up. There’s a $34 docket fee. Sedgwick County can tack on a law library fee up to $14. Kansas does appoint an attorney for free, but for any following casework the attorney can charge a “reasonable fee,” a number not specified in state law. NyKia Watkins said […]