From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Michael A. Corriero is an American attorney, jurist, author, and child-advocacy expert. He is best known for his service as a judge of the New York City Family Court, where he presided for more than two decades and became nationally recognized for his work on juvenile justice reform. After retiring from the bench, Corriero continued his public service as a policy advocate, educator, and author focusing on youth justice and child welfare.
Early life and education
Michael Corriero was born in the United States. He earned his undergraduate degree before attending St. John’s University School of Law, where he received his Juris Doctor. His early legal education laid the foundation for a career centered on public service and the protection of children’s rights.
Legal and judicial career
Corriero served as a judge of the New York City Family Court beginning in 1994. During his tenure, he handled cases involving juvenile delinquency, child abuse and neglect, and family law matters. He gained particular recognition for his leadership in reforming how serious juvenile offenders are treated within the legal system.
One of Corriero’s most notable contributions was his role in the Juvenile Offender (JO) Parts of Family Court, where he advocated for keeping certain serious youth cases in Family Court rather than transferring them to adult criminal court. His approach emphasized rehabilitation over punishment and influenced broader discussions on juvenile justice policy in New York State.
Corriero retired from the Family Court bench in 2012.
Advocacy and academic work
Following his judicial career, Corriero became a senior fellow and director of the Youth Justice and Opportunities Project at the Center for Court Innovation. In this role, he has written and spoken extensively about juvenile justice reform, adolescent development, and alternatives to incarceration for youth.
He has also served as an adjunct professor, lecturing on family law and juvenile justice, and is a frequent commentator in legal and policy forums addressing child welfare and youth crime.
Authorship
Michael Corriero is the author of several works on juvenile justice, including:
- Judging Children as Children: A Proposal for a Juvenile Justice System — a book arguing for developmentally appropriate responses to youth crime and critiquing the prosecution of juveniles as adults.
His writings are frequently cited in discussions of criminal justice reform and child-centered legal policy.
Public recognition
Corriero’s work has been referenced in legal scholarship, policy discussions, and media coverage related to juvenile justice. He is widely regarded as an influential voice in efforts to reform youth sentencing laws and family court practices in the United States.
See also
- Juvenile justice in the United States
- New York City Family Court
- Youth justice reform
References
Reliable secondary sources include court records, policy publications, academic commentary, and media interviews.
This article may be expanded as additional independent sources are cited.
