WASHINGTON STATE ASSOCIATION OF YOUTH COURTS

By Diana Hefley, Herald Writer The boy was stressed out and distracted, the jury agreed. He also already works 22 hours a week outside of school. How much community service would be sufficient to send a message and hold him accountable for his actions? The prosecutors asked for 20 hours. The defense suggested eight hours. Jurors settled on the boy's punishment: 12 hours of community service, a one-page letter about the dangers of inattentive driving, and two sessions volunteering with the court. They filed out into the packed courtroom, ready to give their verdict. The boy's case was one of three heard earlier this month in the Bothell Youth Court, a blossoming program geared at raising awareness among young drivers and holding them accountable for their mistakes. The court also provides about two dozen high school kids the opportunity to interact with college students and local lawyers. "We're not only potentially saving lives but we're also training our fu...

I am posting a link to a great resource for folks interested in youth courts. Scott Peterson formerly from the US Department of Justice and big supporter of youth courts has his own Global Youth Justice program to support youth courts. The weblink is www.globalyouthjustice.org/ You'll find lots of great resources and announcements. Go, Scott!

The annual youth court conference, sponsored by the Administrative Office of the Court (AOC) and the Washington State Association of Youth Courts, drew about 60 individuals for an exciting and education program. Special Advisor Margaret Fisher opened the meeting with an overview of youth courts. Harmeen Kaur, Outgoing Student President led an engaging ice breaker. What followed was a session reported by many as the most compelling presentation they had ever experienced- on the very current issue of social media safety. Two experts from British Columbia, Darren and Beth Laur of Professional Protection Systems, Incl. described various social media safety challenges and also gave the audience real tools to protect themselves. Outgoing President Terri Cooper, Coordinator of the Cheney Youth Traffic Court led a concurrent session of youth court coordinators and interested community members on how to establish a youth court and brainstormed solutions to issues facing youth courts today. ...

 

Please join us for the annual Statewide Youth Court Training! Where: Seattle University School of Law When: Saturday, October 26, 2013 Time: 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. This year the conference will include: Social Media Protection educating young people about their personal vulnerability on the Internet. Human Trafficking Education on the current issue of immigrants and teens being forced into servitude. Art of Effective Questioning presented by experienced litigators to help youth advocates ask the right questions and follow-up on information presented in court. Implementing a Youth Court for communities interested in establishing a youth court. Annual Meeting and Election of Student Vice-President. Geocaching. To Register: Please call Paula Odegaard at (360) 705-5214

2013 Summer Forum: "Introduction to Street Law and iCivics" with Margaret Fisher (Attorney Educator, Office of the Courts), "How to Determine Legislative Intent" with State Supreme Court Justice Mary Fairhurst, others. Washington Legislative Scholar Program held on Thursday July 18th 2013, 2:45PM 2013 Summer Forum: Please click here to watch video or paste this url into your browser address bar: http://www.tvw.org/index.php?option=com_tvwplayer&eventID=2013070045B

Firefighter Tim Steiner presents "Think First, Think Again" to Cheney High School Students  On April 25th Cheney Youth Court, located in Eastern Washington, sponsored an anti-distracted driving program to all Juniors and Seniors at their local high school. Through a partnership between the Cheney Youth Court, the local Fire Department, and Cheney High School administration “Think-First, Think-Again” has become an annual event presented just days before Prom and a few weeks before Graduation. Its purpose is to emphasize safe driving practices like wearing your seat belt, committing to not texting and driving, and not getting into a car with drivers that have been drinking. “Think-First, Think-Again” has become such a valued and successful program that Principal Troy Heuett stated, “of all the programs that are cut when schedules get tight, this is not one of them…this is too important to miss”. Student drivers sign their names committing to...

Clallam County Teen Court has done many different fundraisers over the years to raise money for our Teen Court kids to go to trainings at the Seattle University Law School and to take educational trips annually.   Some of our trips have included: going to Washington DC to visit the Holocaust museum and attend the Supreme Court, to Louisiana to participate in one of their Teen Courts and to meet Supreme Court Justice Bernadette Johnson and to Idaho to meet Sheriff Ben Wolffinger the Sheriff of Coeur d’Alene.    The last couple of years, due to budget issues and the amount of Teen Court kids we have, we had to limit the youth going on the trips to those that are Senior’s in High School.   Our fundraisers have included selling McDonalds coupon books, participating in a McTakeover, car washes, selling Macy’s coupons and recently we ordered Ozark lollipops to sell.    Usually this time of year we do our annual Easter Bake a thon.   Our local radio statio...

February 26, 2013 During the 2001-2002 school year, the Thurston County Youth Court Program was developed in cooperation with the River Ridge High School, North Thurston Public Schools, Thurston County Prosecutor's Office, YMCA, Washington State Bar Association, Community Youth Services, Thurston County Juvenile/Court Probation and the Superior Court Judges and Court Commissioners for Thurston County.  In 2004, the program expanded to include truancy violations from schools and juvenile court.  For many years, the program was directed by Thurston County Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Rick Peters.  In 2011, the Youth Court Program did not hold meetings or hearings for the first time since the 2001-2002 school year.  The Thurston County Prosecuting Attorney's Office has been working to revive our Youth Court Program and is actively recruiting students from our local high schools.  A training for students is set for Saturday, March 2, 2013, and Senior Deputy ...

Read here about Kitsap's youth court program. http://www.courts.wa.gov/content/publicupload/eclips/2.22.13%20CKR.pdf

Published: Thursday, January 31, 2013, 12:01 a.m. Court of their peers serves justice for young drivers By Diana Hefley ,  Herald Writer BOTHELL -- Bothell Municipal Court Judge Michelle Gehlsen isn't convinced the few minutes she spends with new drivers facing their first traffic ticket is enough time to hammer home the dangers of speeding or texting behind the wheel. Teenagers may need a little more encouragement to think about their responsibilities, even if the lecture is coming from someone in a black robe. Gehlsen has helped the city launch a new youth court with the goal of cutting down on the number of repeat traffic offenders and maybe saving lives. Traffic accidents remain the No. 1 killer of young people, Gehlsen said. The youth court is open to 16- and 17-year-old first-time traffic offenders. To opt into the court, offenders must admit their guilt. Yet they are given the chance to explain the circumstances in a triallike setting. The court is led by high s...

THURSTON COUNTY YOUTH COURT  - Coordinator Joe Jackson reports that their youth court student training will be held March 2, 2013.  Former Washington State Association of Youth Courts President Rick Peters will be lending a hand to train the students.

2012 Colleen Willoughby Youth Civic Education Award  Seattle CityClub Explaining the program Presenting the Youth Court to the audience Youth Court members at the awards ceremony; Garfield volunteers holding the award check!

Seattle Youth Traffic Court conducted a hearing as part of the National  Council for the Social Studies in Seattle 2012. Prosecutor explains the victim's report of the accident caused by the defendant. Garfield High School volunteers and Law Student Mentors with Coordinator at National   Council for the Social Studies. Law student mentor explains to audience what youth court is about. Presiding Juror announces the disposition. High School Student explains benefits of Youth Court.