WASHINGTON STATE ASSOCIATION OF YOUTH COURTS

The Washington State Association of Youth Courts is hosting its annual Youth Court Conference at University of Washington - Bothell Campus in Building UW2 (Commons Hall) on October 18, 2014 with registration starting at 9:30, and running from 10 to 4 p.m. The focus is on restorative justice with a special emphasis on  youth courts as an alternative to suspensions from school. Experts will present on the school to prison pipeline, restorative justice circles, and the youth representing several different youth courts in WA will present restorative justice in their courts, and conduct a mock school hearing. In addition, a detective from Bothell Police Department will demonstrate police technology. The event is open to youth courts and to communities interested in learning more about how youth courts can serve their local community. A session will focus on issues for existing coordinators and for new communities. The event is free, and offers clock hours, CLEs and MCJEs. Contact ...

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. ...