From Emily Exton of Entertainment Weekly:

• 18 to Life premieres tonight: More Stacey Farber, please
  “As for Degrassi similarities? Surprisingly there aren’t that many. 18 to Life takes itself a lot less seriously and has more of a Malcom in the Middle feel than that of our favorite Canadian import (but Jessie’s friend does look like a brainy Manny Santos). ” Read more.

From Jaime Weinman of Maclean’s Magazine:

• 18 To Life Shocks the U.S. Critics
  “That’s part of the point of the show: the characters make a decision that has more impact, legally and culturally, than any other, and one that their parents fear will ruin their lives. Both sides, then, would view 18 To Life as an invitation to irresponsible behaviour, so it opens itself up to twice the complaints a teen show would normally get.” Read more.

From Myles McNutt at Cultural Learnings:

• Misdirected Scorn: Why 18 to Life Deserves Parole
  “… most of the series’ reviews ignore the show itself and instead focus on attacking either its origins, its scheduling, or the apparent offensiveness of its premise – while I understand that these are all part of the series’ impact, that these critics have not bothered to watch closely enough to see the kind of show which 18 to Life is becoming seems a disservice to a show which is just trying to be an old-fashioned traditional sitcom.” Read more.