A Blue Ribbon Panel of Tennessee experts began looking into the process behind prosecuting and incarcerating juveniles in an effort to make things safer and keep kids out of trouble.
"This summer and fall we will examine our juvenile justice system from top to bottom," said Tennessee House Speaker Beth Harwell.
She led a meeting of experts at Legislative Plaza to lay out the guidelines for an ambitious task.
The panel was created after seeing the disturbing trend in recent years in which more, younger children are committing more serious crimes.
If those children then serve time, they often recommit after being released.
Among those selected to the panel, are folks representing schools, law enforcement and the mental health community.
They will be looking for ways to improve the system.
"What we try to do from a law enforcement perspective is build trust in a community with young people and try to be a positive influence," said Captain Gordon Howey with the Metro Nashville Police Department.
The panel will make recommendations to others lawmakers who may then pass legislation to help reduce juvenile crime.
Among other things, members of the panel will look to other states to see what types of things work elsewhere in reducing juvenile crime.
