Unequal Time for Equal Crime:

A Recent report shows that racial and ethnic disparities have grown in juvenile justice:  While the rate of direct file in adult courts is decreasing for white youth, it has increased for Black and Latino youth. The report states  In 2003, Black youth were 4.5 times as likely as white youth to be directly filed, but by 2014 this figure rose to 11.3 times more likely, despite a 55 percent drop in youth felony arrests.

California Supreme Court has ruled in favor of a proposed ballot initiative (the Public Safety and Rehabilitation Act of 2016) that would end the practice of direct file,

The report states “Youth who are subjected to the adult system experience psycho-emotional trauma stemming from the high-stakes criminal prosecution, and are more likely to recidivate. By eradicating direct file, Californians would reduce the high cost of unnecessary and harmful long-term incarceration of youth, particularly youth of color, while improving public safety and expanding opportunities for youth to engage in school, work, family, and community.”

http://www.burnsinstitute.org/blog/direct-file-rates-arbitrarily-rising-for-youth-of-color/