The role of the juvenile prosecutor is constantly evolving and has expanded greatly in recent years. When we think of juvenile prosecutors, we commonly think of a gatekeeper who decides which juveniles should be charged with crimes. But, the job has shifted from solely reacting to crime to actively engaging in strategies to prevent it.
This means that today’s juvenile prosecutor must go beyond the courthouse to become a community leader, collaborating with civic organizations and other groups.
Prosecuting Attorney Will Jones brought in Casey Beard to be that kind of prosecutor. Assigning her as the Juvenile Division Chief at the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office in central Arkansas, he made space for her to continue devoting her career to advocating for the rights and well-being of young people.
“I think that I was thrown into it before I knew I was willing and would fall in love with it,” Beard recalls.
Growing up, she always had a desire to be an advocate for children, yet she didn’t set out explicitly to pursue that path. But now, years later, she has advocated for juveniles on both sides of the table.
Before becoming a prosecutor, she worked as a public defender. Her journey began in 2003 when she joined the public defender’s office fresh out of law school at the age of 25. Faced with the choice between adult and juvenile court, she chose the latter, feeling it more fitting for someone her age and appearance.
“I didn’t feel like I could be 25 advising men to take 30 or 40 years in prison when I looked like a child myself to them,” she explains.
Beard often describes herself as a social worker at heart, albeit one with a law degree. “I think I wanted to be a social worker and my dad required me to get the law degree so that I had something to fall back on if I ever needed to,” she says.
One of the most transformative personal experiences during Beard’s career was the adoption of her daughter, who came into her life as a baby in foster care. “The adoption of my daughter probably raised my passion for juvenile justice and being a lawyer for kids,” she shares.
Navigating the complexities of her daughter’s early interventions and developmental services gave her invaluable insights into the challenges faced by the families she represents in court.
“Being her mom helped me understand what the families in court were going through on a whole different level,” she explains. “My daughter is now 16 and even her teen years have been a challenge. We’ve had to seek a lot of counseling and therapy and extra services for her.”
Over the years, Beard has witnessed changes in the landscape of juvenile justice. One of the most pressing issues she identifies is the prevalence of guns among young people.
“The guns,” she emphasizes, reflecting on a troubling trend that has grown more pronounced. “We used to see more non-violent offenses—misdemeanors, petty crimes within schools and our community,” she recalls. “Now, it feels like our community is surrounded by guns and violence. There are a lot of property crimes as well and it tends to be youth looking for guns and looking for the things that they can make a lot of money on.”
The prevalence of guns among youth is alarming, she notes, as it not only facilitates crime but also places young lives at risk. “When they seek out guns, they’re putting themselves in harm’s way,” she explains. “The community or law enforcement might have to take action, which could endanger these youths.”
Another significant change is the influence of social media. “What our kids used to do privately, within their immediate surroundings, is now broadcast to a wider audience,” she explains.
This public display of violence escalates conflicts and provokes retaliation. She further lays out how it is sometimes difficult to tell from a video if a weapon is real or not, but how even the perceived disrespect can lead to real violence.
Despite these challenges, Beard remains committed to preventing crime through proactive community involvement. Addressing the root causes of juvenile delinquency requires a multifaceted approach.
Beard believes in the power of early intervention and prevention. “That obligation has to start way before the crime.”
Her vision involves creating a supportive village that nurtures children and their families. “We need support at home, in school, and within the community,” Beard asserts.
This holistic approach would empower families to support themselves, reducing reliance on external intervention. “In ten years, I hope we’ve made significant strides, reducing crime and opening pathways for success,” she says.
Measuring success can be challenging, as it’s often about preventing what might have happened. “But we’ll feel it in our communities.”
She believes building trust with law enforcement and community agencies is also crucial. “We need to enhance relationships and build that trust so people feel comfortable turning to these resources for help.”
Another challenge Beard encounters is breaking the cycle of generational trauma. To get a child to turn around, you also have to focus on the parent. She recalls working with a young man who, despite her efforts, ended up back in jail. “He stays in these situations because of what he had generationally in his household.”
Beard shares stories of working with children who ultimately succumb to violence, describing the heartbreak of attending their funerals. Yet, she remains resolute. “You have to somehow bounce back and keep working with the kid that’s still there. You hope to save enough kids to make up for the ones you lost.”
Related Stories:
Smart Justice is a magazine, podcast, and continuing news coverage from the nonprofit Restore Hope and covers the pursuit of better outcomes on justice system-related issues, such as child welfare, incarceration, and juvenile justice. Our coverage is solutions-oriented, focusing on the innovative ways in which communities are solving issues and the lessons that have been learned as a result of successes and challenges.
The podcast is available on all major podcasting platforms.
Subscribe to the Smart Justice newsletter.
