Against the backdrop of King County's pledge to reach 'Zero Youth Detention', 17-year old Jamari faces up to four years of detention for pleading guilty to robbery. Leading up to his sentencing, community justice advocates will urge the judge that Jamari is reformed, but prosecutors are skeptical.

In this Era of Mass Incarceration, this life-drama that is played out daily in courtrooms across America. Most criminal justice systems, based on precedent and state law, punish youthful offenders by sending them to prison, and in most cases, a marginalized existence for the rest of their lives. King County (Washington State) has a new stated goal of "Zero Youth Detention," which has opened an intense debate between proponents and opponents to this first of its kind approach to youth criminal justice. Within this context, we wanted to explore an attempt at alternative community-based resolution in dealing with a young offender. "Manifest Justice" follows 17-year old Jamari, who faces up to four years of detention for pleading guilty to robbery. Aided by mentors who are pursuing a community-based "restorative justice" approach, Jamari seeks to turn his life around while navigating the traditional justice system. The prosecutors are skeptical, and want a jail sentence. Jamari has to convince the judge that he is on a true path of rehabilitation.—Kumbh Mela