A S S O C I A T I O N O F N Y S Y O U T H C O U R T S www.nysyouthcourts.org 1 SEASONS GREETINGS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR! ANYSYC NEWSLETTER Mission statement: To act as a catalyst for the comprehensive development of Youth Courts across NYS, to maintain a juvenile justice alternative that is operated for and by youth, and to promote Youth Courts as an important feature of the juvenile justice services that seek to improve juvenile justice outcomes for all community youth. ANYSYC Youth Scholarship Visit our website to learn about a new scholarship for eligible Youth Court members. www.nysyouthcourts.org As a high school student I was involved in several clubs and organizations, all of which I enjoyed, but only one of which propelled me to the next level of my education. Student court provided me with the insight and compassion needed to succeed as a scholar and a peer leader. Hours of training, and years of practice gave me the knowledge and dedication I would need to pursue an education in law. At the time it served as an interesting after school activity, and an opportunity to directly affect my community. High school is a critical time for growth and change, and the pressures that exist in our society, often find their way into the classroom. These pressures affect the culture of the school and often deter students from engaging in scholarly activity. Student court gives students the ability to confront and challenge this through a uniquely positive peer pressure. By imposing a consequence other than suspension or dismissal on a student who has broken a rule, you are giving them the second chance to make better choices. This vote of confidence from a fellow student builds character, and encourages students to raise the expectations they place on themselves. As a member of student court it became clear to me, that we are obligated to help not only ourselves, but to help others as well. For the first time I saw the ability to help someone else recognize their potential in action. In the technical sense student court gave me an appreciation for structure and rules. Even the simple guidelines that we often view as petty or insignificant are crucial in maintaining a sound environment. Furthermore, awareness of such rules and regulations is essential to recognizing your role as an individual. The same applies to our nation’s judicial system. We must know what is expected of us as citizens in order to fulfill our roles and contribute to society. Now, nearly five years after my experience as a student court member, I am entering law school. I am confident that the dedication, compassion and knowledge gained in student court, will reveal itself once again as a law student. The constant encouragement from the programs director, Ms. Judy Wolfe, showed me that there is no limit to how far I could take my interest in law. I am thrilled to have reached this point, and grateful to the program that lit the spark of my passion. From Student Court to Law School Pittsford Youth Court About 40 youth were recently sworn in as members of the newly created Pittsford Youth Court in Monroe County. Jill Harter Lennox is the youth court coordinator. Jessica Fredette has been involved in youth courts since she was 13 years old. She attended Nottingham High School in Syracuse NY and was a member of the Syracuse City School District’s Student Court. She had previously been a member of the Onondaga County Youth Court. She served as a youth member of the NYS Juvenile Justice Advisory Group. She attended Seton Hall University on a full scholarship as a recipient of the Martin Luther King scholarship majoring in political science and journalism. She is currently in her 1st year of law school at Cleveland State University on a full scholarship as a recipient of the Dean’s Scholarship. Jessica Fredette former member SCSD Student Court and Onondaga County Youth Court in Syracuse, NY STAY TUNED: coming in Spring 2010 one day training opportunity / unveiling of Recommended Practices Project sponsored by ANYSYC hosted by: Center for Courts & The Communities NEWSLETTER FALL/WINTER 2009
Transcript
A S S O C I A T I O N O F N Y S Y O U T H C O U R T S
www.nysyouthcourts.org 1
SEASONS GREETINGS AND
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
!
ANYSYCNEWSLETTER
Mission statement: To act as a catalyst for the comprehensive development of Youth Courts across NYS, to maintain a juvenile justice alternative that is operated for and by youth, and to promote Youth Courts as an important feature of the juvenile justice services that seek to improve juvenile justice outcomes for all community youth.
ANYSYC Youth Scholarship
Visit our website to learn about a new scholarship for
eligible Youth Court members.
www.nysyouthcourts.org
As a high school student I was involved in several clubs and organizations, all of which I
enjoyed, but only one of which propelled me to the next level of my education. Student
court provided me with the insight and compassion needed to succeed as a scholar and a peer leader. Hours of training, and years of practice gave me the knowledge and
dedication I would need to pursue an education in law.
At the time it served as an interesting after school activity, and an opportunity to directly
affect my community. High school is a critical time for growth and change, and the pressures that exist in our society, often find their way into the classroom. These
pressures affect the culture of the school and often deter students from engaging in
scholarly activity. Student court gives students the ability to confront and challenge this
through a uniquely positive peer pressure. By imposing a consequence other than
suspension or dismissal on a student who has broken a rule, you are giving them the second chance to make better choices. This vote of confidence from a fellow student
builds character, and encourages students to raise the expectations they place on
themselves.
As a member of student court it became clear to me, that we are obligated to help not only ourselves, but to help others as well. For the first time I saw the ability to help
someone else recognize their potential in action.
In the technical sense student court gave me an appreciation for structure and rules. Even
the simple guidelines that we often view as petty or insignificant are crucial in
maintaining a sound environment. Furthermore, awareness of such rules and regulations is essential to recognizing your role as an individual. The same applies to our nation’s
judicial system. We must know what is expected of us as citizens in order to fulfill our
roles and contribute to society.
Now, nearly five years after my experience as a student court member, I am entering law school. I am confident that the dedication, compassion and knowledge gained in student
court, will reveal itself once again as a law student. The constant encouragement from the
programs director, Ms. Judy Wolfe, showed me that there is no limit to how far I could
take my interest in law. I am thrilled to have reached this point, and grateful to the
program that lit the spark of my passion.
From Student Court to Law School
Pittsford Youth Court About 40 youth were recently sworn in as members of the newly created Pittsford Youth Court in Monroe County. Jill Harter Lennox is the youth court coordinator.
Jessica Fredette has been involved in youth courts since she was 13 years old. She attended Nottingham High School in Syracuse NY and was a member of the Syracuse City School District’s Student Court. She had previously been a member of the Onondaga County Youth Court. She served as a youth member of the NYS Juvenile Justice Advisory Group. She attended Seton Hall University on a full scholarship as a recipient of the Martin Luther King scholarship majoring in political science and journalism. She is currently in her 1st year of law school at Cleveland State University on a full scholarship as a recipient of the Dean’s Scholarship.
Jessica Fredette former member SCSD Student Court and Onondaga County Youth Court in Syracuse, NY
STAY TUNED:coming in Spring 2010
one day training opportunity / unveiling of Recommended Practices
A S S O C I A T I O N O F N Y S Y O U T H C O U R T S
www.nysyouthcourts.org 2
Center for Courts and the Communities Director, Jackie Sherman, recently accepted a position as special counsel to the newly elected NYC Public Advocate, William de Blasio. The Public Advocate is next in line, if ever necessary, to succeed the Mayor of New York City. The office acts as a watchdog for the citizens of NYC. ANYSYC will continue to work closely with the Center for Courts and the Communities, a successor has not be named to take over for Jackie. We are extremely grateful for all that Jackie has done for the Association and NYS Youth Courts. We wish her well.
Genesee County Youth Court hosted a Law Day Mock Trial on May 5 for parents of members and the community to observe. There were 40 people in attendance including the Chair of the Legislature. Pictured here are the judges entering the courtroom as it is called to order.
Members of Delaware County Youth Court with YC Director Lara Yambor and Family Court Judge Carl F. Becker display certificates received in a graduation ceremony this past summer.
Hillside Children’s Centers Livingston County Youth Court start’ed 2009 off with new members. Judge Dennis Cohen administered the oath of confidentiality to the new members at the Livingston County Court House. Pictured with some of the new members is Youth Court Director Steve Todisco.
A Different Type of Youth CourtThe Quarterly meeting of ANYSYC was held in White Plains, NY hosted by Greenburgh Police Departments Youth Court on November 4th. The guest speaker was Westchester County, Assistant County Attorney Peter Jackson, he spoke about the Westchester County Integrated Youth Court. ACA Jackson brought two of his associates with him, ACA Jim Carpinello and ACA Nick Decicco. Nick and Jim are regular presenters in the Greenburgh Youth Court and have been for several years. Their services to the Greenburgh Youth Court are invaluable. ACA Jackson informed the association of when the Integrated Youth Court (IYC) can be utilized. The criteria are when the respondent has pending cases in two courts, the Family Court and Criminal Court and when the defendant in the criminal case is under 21 years of age at the time of the alleged commission of the offense being prosecuted. It brings both cases together into one court and the respondent is seen by only one judge for both cases. The purpose of the IYC is to consolidate the cases of young people who are required to appear in a criminal case, as well as a juvenile delinquency or person in need of supervision (PINS) case. The judges and staff of this court will have special familiarity with the challenges of these age groups and will draw upon a broad range of services for young people that were formerly only available to cases heard in Family Court. The IYC has been in effect for approximately one year now and brings together several different departments in the county including Probation, Family Court, County Attorney, District Attorney and local law enforcement.
Detective Tom Schulz pictured with Westchester County Sr. Asst. County Attorney Peter Jackson, Asst. County Attorney Jim Carpinello and Asst. County Attoreny Nick Decicco at the November ANYSYC meeting.
Center for Courts and the Communities Director Jackie Sherman conducts workshop on NYS Youth Court Recommended Practices Project at National Association of Youth Courts National Conference in Orlando, Florida in November.
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Patrol Borough Queens North Criminal Justice Program
Judge Judith Kaye expresses her gratitude to Staten Island’s Youth Court members....
Staten Island Youth Court helps mold law-abiding citizensBy Maureen DonnellyJune 28, 2009, 1:00PM) (reprinted with permission of the Staten Island Advance)
Raye Barberi/Staten Island AdvanceStaten Island added to its list of "firsts" recently with the first-ever graduation ceremony of the Staten Island Youth Court, held at the Richmond County Judicial Center.Days later, I remain filled with the emotion and excitement of the event, and thank the Advance for allowing me to share my pride in this great achievement with all of you.Actually, many people can properly take pride in the achievement, no one more than the 18 Youth Court graduates and their families, who have blazed a trail for similar first-rate Youth Courts throughout the city, state and nation.Beginning last October, the graduates, all between 14 and 18 years of age, embarked on an intensive after-school training program in the justice system. (Sadly, too few people take the time to learn about our prized American justice system.)GREW EVERY WEEKAs one of the court officers at the Judicial Center told me, he watched these students week after week grow increasingly engaged and involved in the program.After the 40-hour course in how cases are prepared and presented, the students sat for the Staten Island Youth Court Bar Examination that determined which of them would go on to the next phase: Judging their peers accused of illegal behavior like graffiti, disorderly conduct, assault, fare evasion and shoplifting.The cases are generally referred to the Youth Court by Criminal Court and the Department of Probation.It's not easy to sit in judgment of your peers and, correspondingly, it's not easy to be judged by your peers.On Feb. 3, 2009, I had the privilege of watching these Youth Court members put their training to good use handling these cases, in a real courtroom. Some acted as lawyers, some as judges, some as jurors -- overseen, of course, by lawyers.I cannot imagine any courtroom proceeding having greater impact on an accused than the probing examination conducted by their own schoolmates.The punishment imposed by Youth Court consisted of community service, letters of apology, behavior modification classes and the like.POWERFUL MESSAGEThe message to the accused youth was even more powerful: Don't ever do anything like this again. If you do, you will never again have an opportunity like this to avoid a criminal conviction, which will follow you your entire life.The idea is that deserving youths will have a second chance to repay the community for bad conduct.As one of the graduation speakers said: "Youth Courts help youths realize every action has a consequence."Several of the Youth Court graduates told me of their new-found interest in studying law. I met one future senator (definitely!), one future judge (she has my support!) and one potential entertainer who now intends to be a lawyer (bravo!).The important point is that all of the graduates have received an excellent introduction to our justice system.For that I am most grateful to the Staten Island Youth Court faculty -- Jacklyn Romanoff, Sabrina Carter and Melissa Gelber, and to the Center for Court Innovation, principally Raye Barbieri, Greg Berman and Al Siegel, who have designed, implemented and overseen the initiative.But, of course, none of this would have been possible without my Richmond County heroes, Administrative Judge Philip Minardo, Supervising Judge Alan J. Meyer, District Attorney Daniel Donovan, and Jury Commissioner Steve Fiala.It takes exceptional people like that -- people who look for ways both to best serve the public, and to help kids onto a good, constructive life path -- to make an idea like this into a reality.And as if this all weren't cause enough for celebration, I also witnessed the induction of the next class of Youth Court members. They have already studied hard, passed the bar examination, and will soon begin hearing cases.I gave them both the congratulations they deserve and my promise to return for the next Staten Island Youth Court Graduation Ceremony.The graduates and inductees attend six different high schools: Curtis, McKee, Port Richmond, Susan Wagner and Tottenville high schools, and the College of Staten Island High School for International Studies.Hats off to the 18 Youth Court graduates: Adetola Adeosun, Marcus Banks, Angelo Asaro, Lameeka Collins, Samantha Furman, Trevor Gnyp, Sofia Gonzalez, Ashley Jones, Leticia Lucero, Daelina Lockhart, Katherine Luna, Jonathan Muniz, Daniel Navarro, Andraea Pittman, Anita Platis, Tiana Rodriquez, Martin Sanchez and Matthew Sanders.And all the best to the new inductees: Mary Ajayi, Deanna Benigno, David Bobe, Shanice Boone, Hadahsa Colon, Jeffrey Davis, Danaysha Fields, Stephanie Itkin, Kenneth Killen, Regine Lewis, Fareed Mumuni, Ayana Oquendo, Brittany Orlando, Edwin Saunders, Bayron Torres, Dijone Walls, Kayla Walter.Additionally, Sofia Gonzalez and Daniel Navarro will remain on as Senior Members, and Lameeka Collins, Ashley Jones, Leticia Lucero, Katherine Luna, Jonathan Muniz, Tiana Rodriquez and Martin Sanchez as Continuing Members.That's a total of 25 students who during the coming months will have the extraordinary experiences of serving as the Staten Island Youth Court. You all have my profound thanks, and best wishes.Judith Kaye served as Chief Judge of the State of New York from 1993 to 2008.
A S S O C I A T I O N O F N Y S Y O U T H C O U R T S
ASSOCIATION OF NYS YOUTH COURTS
ANYSYCc/o SCSD Student CourtThe Carnegie Building335 Montgomery StreetSyracuse, New York 13202
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2009 MEMBERSHIPAllegany County Youth CourtAndrew Placito (Associate)Babylon Youth CourtBethlehem Youth CourtBrookhaven Youth CourtCattaraugus Youth CourtCity of Peekskill Youth Bureau Youth CourtClinton County Youth CourtColonie Youth CourtEast Hampton Town Youth CourtElmira Youth CourtGenesee Youth Court Greenburgh Youth CourtHoneoye Falls, Lima, Mendon Community Youth CourtHorseheads Youth CourtJamestown Youth CourtJoseph Best -VORP (Associate)Livingston County Youth CourtNew Rochelle Youth Court
Olean Area Youth CourtOneida County Youth CourtOnondaga County Youth CourtOrleans County Youth CourtOswego County Youth Court / Oswego City Youth CourtSaratoga County Youth CourtSchenectady Youth Court - Center for Community JusticeSchuyler County Youth CourtSCSD Student CourtSouthampton Youth CourtStony Point Youth CourtUlster County Youth CourtVVS Youth CourtWarren County Youth CourtWest Seneca Youth CourtWyoming County Youth CourtYouth Court Alternative of Queens, Inc.Youth Court of Jefferson County
OFFICERSJudy Wolfe President Deb Holland 1st VP Cookie Waller 2nd VP Damian Pratt Treasurer
Jocelyn Sitkorski Co-Secretary Katrina Charland Co-Secretary Mike Torrillo Past President
