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Juvenile justice systems in Tennessee are shrouded in secrecy, making it difficult for reporters to cover them. However, this secrecy can also shield the adults in charge from accountability. Tennessee has 98 juvenile courts with judges who have a lot of discretion in making decisions about cases. The lack of a right to a jury trial for kids means that judges have unchecked authority. The article highlights instances of children being treated like adults in the justice system, with harsh punishments and violations of their rights. The hope for juvenile courts was rehabilitation, but the reality is often closer to the adult system. The article also discusses the lack of access to lawyers for children and the push for harsher sentences for children in Tennessee. Some places, like Nashville, have implemented restorative justice programs for youth offenders as an alternative to the court system. Overall, the article raises concerns about the treatment of children in the juvenile justice system and the need for reform. [Extracted from the article]