China Law Center Partner Publishes New Book on Juvenile Justice System

The Yale China Law Center is pleased to announce the publication of a new book, Research on the Juvenile Judicial System, edited by our longstanding collaborator, Judge YANG Feixue (杨飞雪), with the assistance of our Center. Judge Yang is Chief Judge of the Shapingba District Court Juvenile Crimes Division in the western city of Chongqing, one of the largest cities in China. Chongqing pioneered many of the innovations in juvenile justice now codified in China’s revised Criminal Procedure Law, which took effect in January 2013, and Judge Yang was at the forefront of this juvenile justice reform. She has worked with the Chongqing High Court to institutionalize new procedures and policies, and is a respected authority at the national level.

The new book provides a comprehensive view of the Chongqing experience with enough detail that even expert scholars and practitioners will find much valuable new information. Judge Yang presents theoretical bases, but also addresses practical concerns, regarding the implementation of recent innovations such as the use of appropriate adults, psychological interventions, social inquiry reports, conditional non-prosecution, early involvement of defense counsel, and alternatives to incarceration for juvenile offenders. With the help of The China Law Center, she also introduces a comparative perspective, considering the strengths and faults of corresponding American practices. As other Chinese jurisdictions struggle with implementing the new juvenile procedures, the Chongqing experience and Judge Yang’s insights will be invaluable.

The book is published in Chinese by LAW PRESS CHINA under the title 未成年人司法制度探索研究
It can also be purchased from most online Chinese booksellers and bookstores nationwide.