Before Their Crimes

What We're Misunderstanding about Childhood Trauma, Youth Crime, and the Path to Healing
This book brings together scientific research, case histories, and Dr. Smith’s own insights and experiences, offering a new perspective on the pain-driven sources of juvenile crime.

Winner of the 2026 Los Angeles Book Festival Wild Card Category
Runner-up in the 2026 Los Angeles Book Festival General Nonfiction Category
Winner of the 2026 New England Book Festival Wild Card Category
Runner-up in the 2026 New England Book Festival General Nonfiction Category
Winner of the 2026 Southern California Book Festival Wild Card Category
Winner of the 2026 Southern California Book Festival General Nonfiction Category

Juvenile crime doesn't just happen—there is always a story behind it.
Before Their Crimes: What We're Misunderstanding about Childhood Trauma, Youth Crime, and the Path to Healing is a ground-breaking book that sheds new light on the relationship of childhood trauma and juvenile crime. Wendy Smith uses the framework of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) to explain how the toxic stress of early childhood trauma can make children vulnerable to committing criminal acts. Smith draws from interviews with twenty men and women from across the racial and social divide who spent years in prison after committing serious crimes as children. Smith not only reveals the pernicious mechanisms that link early trauma to later crime, but also illuminates the potential for healing among even the most egregious offenders.

UK Delivery:

• Free delivery on all orders of £10 or more.
• £1.49 delivery fee on orders below £10.
• UK orders are shipped via Royal Mail 2nd Class.

International Delivery:

• Flat rate delivery charges vary by country.

Dispatch and Delivery Times:

• All orders are shipped from our warehouse in Northampton, UK within 48 hours of receipt during working hours.
• UK mainland orders typically arrive within 3-5 working days via Royal Mail 2nd Class.
• International estimated delivery times:
• Europe & Channel Islands: 7 to 10 working days
• USA: 7 to 15 working days
• Rest of the World: 9 to 21 working days

View our full delivery infomation here.