Youth Courts & Community Justice

1. Youth Courts & Community Justice The power of the peer community

2. Youth-led courtrooms • Teen/peer/student courts: kids (age 12-17) in court! • Juvenile justice system (42%), law enforcement agencies, private non-profit organizations (22%), schools (36%) • Models: adult judge (53%), peer jury (31%), youth judge (18%), youth tribunal (10%) • Common characteristics: • Respondents volunteer & admit guilt • Only non-serious offenses considered • Adult moderator assists as needed • Oath of confidentiality

3. “Non-serious offenses”

4. “Fair and restorative dispositions”

5. Criminal offenses 7% of programs allow “not guilty” plea; conduct hearing to determine guilt or innocence Diversion from juvenile court First-time misdemeanors: theft, vandalism, disorderly conduct, assault, etc. Restitution, counseling, drug & alcohol assessment, classes Charges dismissed; record cleared School misconduct Increasing as educators look to improve citizenship skills and try LRE Alternative to detention or suspension Truancy, minor fights, insubordination, cheating, smoking, vandalism Community service, apology letter, mentoring, tutoring, extra-curricular activities Charges dismissed; record cleared “Second chance”

6. Everyone wins! • 6-9% recidivism over 6 months • Youth volunteers receive 10 hours of training and invaluable experience; LRE • Collaboration between schools, juvenile justice system and community • Diverting respondents out of juvenile justice court system saves $$$

7. Toward a new model • Balanced and Restorative Justice (BARJ) • “Crime is a violation of people and relationships” (Godwin) • Victim and community are also important stakeholders • Accountability: opportunity to repair harm & respond to victim rather than unilateral punishment • Competency: respondents are capable to build on strengths and contribute to community • Community safety: victims can be entire communities; they should be protected and involved Accountability Community safety Competency development

8. Toward a new model (cont’d) • 1980s to mid 1990s: “punishment” and “faith in the system” • Late 1990s – present: principles of repair, involvement and justice system facilitation • Dialogue: victim & respondent, respondent & court, court & community  individualized, relevant dispositions, increased community involvement and problem-solving skills, strengthened relationships all around

9. The power of community • Williamson & Knepper (1995): need to focus on factors and influences of violence; “reverse peer pressure” could be effective • Time Dollar youth court (Washington D.C.): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hqp8MzJzm4M

10. The power of community (cont’d) • Connell et al. (pg 290): “In order to develop a sense of connectedness and productivity, and to begin making decisions from a perspective that is less egocentric, young people also need to participate in groups of interconnected members […] They also need to experience themselves as individuals who have something of value to contribute to their different communities. When healthy opportunities to belong are not found in their environments, young people will create less healthy versions, such as cliques and gangs.” • Schutz (pg 697): “The truth is that dominant conceptions of a durable ‘culture of violence’ among the poor are contested […] History certainly matters, but a key determinant of criminal activity is whether one has experienced mistreatment by the justice system.” AND “One of the central challenges limiting effective action against oppression in the central city is the diffusion of middle-class values of individualism and their contribution to declines in community sentiment” (699).

11. Discussion 1.) Considering our discussion about Jane Addams and violence, as well as recent developments in CPS, do you think the youth court system has what it takes to aid troubled communities? Would you help Time Dollar find funding? 2.) How/where do youth courts fit into the youth development movement as we’ve studied it so far? 3.) Do you see any applicability between this system and the adult justice system (esp. considering BARJ)?