Adolescent Brain Development and Juvenile Transfers to Adult Court

Dr. Rahn Minagawa, a renowned expert in child
and adolescent development and adolescent brain development, will speak about juvenile transfers to
adult court in criminal proceedings.

Dr. Minagawa earned his doctorate degree in psychology from the University of Southern California in 1983 after completing an internship at the UCLA Medical Center. He then entered military service where he attained the rank of Commander and served as the Head of the Child and Adolescent Psychology Division at the Naval Medical Center in San Diego. He completed a postdoctoral fellowship in child and adolescent psychology in San Francisco through the Comprehensive Child Crisis Services while in the Navy. After leaving the service, Dr. Minagawa became a Senior Scientist for the Henry M. Jackson Foundation and participated in research at the Naval Health Research Center with a focus on reducing high risk behaviors in military personnel. He has specialized training in the areas of trauma, substance abuse, gang involved youth, child and adolescent development, and adolescent brain development. He has been an invited presenter for the California Center for Judicial Education and Research, the Judicial Council of California, numerous public defender’s offices throughout the State of California, and the San Diego County Juvenile Probation Department.