The U.S. Department of Justice has released a report critical of the St. Louis County Family Court, alleging that black youths are treated more harshly than whites, and juveniles are often deprived of constitutional rights.
The investigation was initiated in 2013, addressing issues that drew increased scrutiny last year after the fatal shooting of 18-year-old Michael Brown, who was black, by a white police officer in Ferguson, a St. Louis County town. The new report was issued just over a week before the anniversary of Brown's death, Aug. 9.
The report says the Justice Department will seek negotiations to resolve the concerns.
St. Louis County Executive Steve Stenger says that although the court is operated by the state, not the county, he is "deeply concerned" about the findings.