Nearly half of all juveniles accused of a crime in Nebraska are facing their charges in adult court, and a state researcher says many will struggle to find jobs as a result.

Anne Hobbs, director of the Juvenile Justice Institute, said Wednesday that nearly 45 percent of the youths charged in Nebraska were prosecuted as adults between July 2010 and June 2011. More than 4,000 youths were booked into some form of detention during that period.

Hobbs presented her findings Wednesday to the Legislature’s Judiciary Committee. Lawmakers are promising reforms for the state’s juvenile services this year, to focus more on treatment and rehabilitation.

A bill by Sen. Brad Ashford of Omaha would require juvenile cases to start in juvenile court, instead of adult court.