Youth Court could face cuts, closing

By MAREESA NICOSIA, The Saratogian

SARATOGA COUNTY — Amanda Mosher knows what it means to get a second chance.

Two years ago, the now-19-year-old college student from Corinth was arrested for shoplifting and could have faced up to a year in jail. Instead, a Wilton judge referred her to Youth Court, the county’s only peer-to-peer sentencing court for youthful, first-time offenders who commit non-violent crimes. The court was established by the Alcohol and Substance Abuse Prevention Council in 1999.

Mosher completed 20 hours of community service and took a tour of the county jail as part of the penalty handed down by a jury of high school students volunteering as Youth Court officers.

“It was a very good wake up call. I think it was a good way to show me what could have happened to me and it gave me a second chance,” Mosher said, adding that the petit larceny charge doesn’t affect her permanent record today.

After completing her sentence, Mosher joined her peers on a jury for the sentencing of another youthful offender. The experience helped inspire her interest in social work, which she plans to study at Adirondack Community College this January.

Mosher and dozens of youths, parents and community leaders who support Youth Court don’t want to see it extinguished, but lack of state funding has put the program in jeopardy of being cut back or closed, unless supporters can raise about $50,000 by Jan. 31, Prevention Council officials said Monday.

“We certainly have every hope that we’re going to be able to save the program,” Prevention Council Director Judy Ekman said. “At the moment, we’re really looking to get as much funding as we possibly can.”

Running on a $91,000 annual budget, the program serves about 300 young people throughout the county each year, including 120 first-time school-age criminal offenders facing charges such as petit larceny, trespass, vandalism and possession of marijuana. About 175 teenagers receive law-education training to serve as officers of the court and contribute approximately 5,000 hours of community service through their work.

For the last several years, the program’s budget has been composed of about $21,000 from municipalities and school districts, plus $40,000 provided by New York state — a member item that was granted through former New York Senate leader Joseph Bruno’s office. The Prevention Council filled the remaining $30,000 budget deficit.

After Bruno’s departure from the state Legislature earlier this year, the council received no state funding for the program, Ekman said. And as municipal and school budgets are being cut back, those revenue streams threaten to dry up, too.

Ekman, who plans to retire in June after 30 years with the organization, said her staff has approached elected officials, including state Sen. Roy J. McDonald, R-Saratoga, and applied for numerous grants to sustain the program, but with the exception of a few small donations from local agencies, requests for substantial grants have been denied, she said.

The $50,000 sought will help pay the two full-time staff members whose salaries and benefits make up about three-quarters of the annual Youth Court budget, Ekman said.

“It’s difficult finding money to fund an existing program, and that’s very disheartening because this is a highly successful program and we want to keep it going,” said Patty Kilgore, Prevention Council clinical director.

Ekman added that for many kids, simply paying a fine (or having their parents pay it) as a penalty for committing a crime isn’t sufficient to drive home the consequences of their actions. Completing Youth Court penalties prevents kids from committing repeat offenses, she said.

Probation officers who refer cases to Youth Court report that 90 percent of first-time offenders remain crime-free after going through the court.

“I think this program is the best opportunity that we have for deterring crime. It helps (youthful offenders) form a positive relationship with their community as opposed to ‘let me see how much I can get away with,’ ” she said.

To donate, call 581-1230 or go to www.preventioncouncil.org/programs/youthcourt.asp.

Testimonials

Judge Cynthia Amrhein, town justice, town of Ballston: Youth Court benefits all those involved. The kids that serve as jurors are in the unique position of imposing the punishment upon one of their peers. This is not an easy task. It helps jurors to listen to others and work as a group. Those jurors that were “offenders” also get to experience the daunting task of having to sentence someone else. Although Family Courts or Justice Courts can impose sentences much more severe than Youth Court, the process of the Youth Court trial is much more instructive and has a longer lasting effect on the youth. It forces the youth to admit blame and take responsibility for his/her actions. It reduces recidivism

Judge James Doern, Saratoga Springs City Court justice: I think Youth Court is great; it allows for accountability with students’ peers. It also gives students interested in law necessary and valuable experience.

Judge Jeffrey Wait, Saratoga City Court Justice: I believe it is important for the community to have a valuable resource such as Youth Court. It provides student volunteers with a working knowledge of the Legal System — and it provides young adults and teenagers in trouble with an alternative sentencing option that in most instances leads to very positive results.

Judge Wood, town justice, Wilton Court: Youth Court gives our kids an opportunity to remedy a bad situation other than with fines and jail, which are not the answer for kids. Youth Court also gives me as a Judge more time to deal with other problems. The people involved in Saratoga Youth Court are a prized possession. Don’t lose it!!

Judge Timothy J. Alden, town Justice, town of Moreau: The people who have participated in Youth Court rarely return to court as defendants. The recidivism rate is negligible. It is in my opinion a highly successful program. 113 of our criminal cases were diverted to Youth Court, which would instead be prosecuted by my office. Victims are also better served by Youth Court, which shortens the time between the crime and healing.

Judge Jeffrey B. McCabe, town justice, town of Moreau: I have seen Youth Court from two points of view. One as a police officer and now as a Judge. The educational experience, both personally and academically, are extraordinary. In my opinion, not only does it assist our court but greatly assists our community. The number of repeat offenders is minimal at best — proof that it works.

Judge David Fusco, town of Waterford justice: Youth Court not only helps with the court’s caseload but more importantly, it gives the youth a better understanding of the justice system and the victim. It gives our youth a second chance without getting off without any consequences.

Judge David Mathis, town of Saratoga justice: Youth Court provides our court an alternative for dealing with young people who occasionally make bad choices that would give them a life-long criminal record. In Youth Court they recognize their mistakes and tend not to repeat them. Youth Court is an effective means of reducing the recidivism rate in our children and young adults who have started down the wrong path. It is of the best youth-oriented Criminal Justice programs available.

Megan Quillinan, executive director, Mechanicville Community Center: I think Youth Court is a great program. We mostly see the kids who need community service and have really enjoyed having them here over the years. I think kids really respond to Youth Court.

Sara Kipp, Stillwater Library: Youth Court gives me a chance to work with “troubled” teens and to have an opportunity to help make a difference. Closing it would have a negative effect on this program. That extra hand once in a while really helps a library with a shrinking budget.

Michelle Duell, Mechanicville Library: Youth Court introduces young offenders to our library and shows them what we have to offer. Many of them end up getting library cards and continue to visit the library. The offenders are assigned tasks such as preparing crafts, dusting, and outside cleanup. If we did not have their help, clerks would have to finish these tasks, thus taking away from their time for more important duties. Also the Library would have to pay funds for the outside cleanup.

Ward Patton, Waterford Community Service Program: It’s an opportunity for young people to learn from their own mistakes and hear the consequences of crime from their peers in Youth Court. We would lose a great opportunity for dealing with youthful offenders. I believe this has been a very successful program for Saratoga County.

Cathy Fiore, SPAC Community Service program: Closing the court would have a negative effect because it would be harder for us to accomplish all the things that need to be done without the help of offenders’ community service. I have found it to be one of the most productive organizations around. We need more funding and programs that can help ensure that our troubled youth have an opportunity to get as much help as needed in order to become respected, educated, working adults.

Wayne Clark, community service supervisor, New York State Military Museum: Youth Court exposes troubled youth to both business and public venues that they would probably never have experienced on their own.

Kelley Bayer, Saratoga County probation officer: The Youth Court is extremely beneficial to Saratoga County Probation Department, and without it our juvenile recidivism would be significant. This program provides a great experience and the opportunity for the juvenile to face responsibility for their actions and give back to the community through community service. This program also provides a wonderful opportunity for the Youth Court officers, not just the offenders.

Susan Costanzo, Saratoga County probation officer: The Youth Court program has been invaluable to the youth of our county. It has offered an opportunity for youth who have been in trouble to learn from their mistakes and provide service to their communities, making them feel involved and connected. It helps reduce recidivism. This is one of the most important programs for the youth of our county. We would suffer without it.

Mark Allen, former Youth Court officer: Youth Court was an invaluable piece of my high school career. It truly was a cornerstone in my education and gave me experience. It taught about the basic criminal justice process, but more importantly it taught me life long skills and attributes. Simple things like time management, preparation, and communication skills were mastered because they were all necessities to be involved in the program. Youth Court assisted me in making that transformation from kid to adult. Youth Court puts the offenders in an environment with their peers who are positive influences. It is important to note that approximately 10 percent of Youth Court Officers are former offenders. No other program leaves an offender with that kind of positive attitude about a program they went through.

Elizabeth A. Morris, parent of Saratoga Springs Youth Court officer: I have watched my son evolve into a responsible young man with the training he has received through Youth Court. He is better with his peers and public speaking at this point also. My son has a better idea of the social dilemmas that people have in this community. He has been given the opportunity to experience what happens on the street without ever having the desire to be part of that peer group. It has been a pleasure watching a respectful young man take his role as an officer so seriously. I see career potential in my son that I did not see prior to this experience. The system that is in place works for young adults of all types and helps our community to be a better place as a result.

Alex Howk , Saratoga Youth Court officer: I think Youth Court has helped me learn not to cave to peer pressure or do things because my friends tell me to because that can lead to sorrows and trouble down the line. Youth Court is important because people who made a bad mistake can experience the seriousness of their actions so they won’t make the same mistake again. It is a great program because it teaches the students about serving the community, how to be fair when assigning consequences, and to keep confidentiality. I think the Youth Court experience opens students up to the fact that they are a small part of a larger community and how important everyone is in that community.

Alexandra Ricci, Mechanicville Youth Court officer: I have learned not to make mistakes like the defendants and participating has taught me how the judicial system functions. The court gives defendants second chances and benefits the community because it keeps youth out of trouble.

Lori Beer, parent of youth court office: My daughter has a respect for our justice system — recognizes that there are consequences to breaking rules/laws — appreciates that Youth Court provides consequences to first time youthful offenders. This is a program that benefits offenders and officers.

Nicole Beer, youth court officer: Youth Court has given me an opportunity to learn about the legal system. Youth Court has changed the way I look at people who have made mistakes.

Sarah Kopa, Galway Youth Court officer, and her mom: Sarah: As an officer, Youth Court has meant a chance to help others. I have learned many lessons as well as learning from others mistakes. Mom: Sarah has learned a lot about the courts and how they work through Youth Court. Although the individual cases are confidential the ethical questions they have triggers have helped her grow personally and intellectually.”

Richard English, parent of Galway Youth Court officer: I am the parent of two officers in Saratoga Youth Court and am writing to express my enthusiastic support for the program. It goes without saying that first-time youth offenders benefit greatly from the program since it provides them with an opportunity to make amends and avoid the lasting consequences of an error in judgment. The Prevention Council should be applauded for taking such a constructive approach to dealing with these situations.

The officers in Youth Court also benefit enormously from the program. My two sons have served as jurors forepersons, attorneys, and judge in at least a dozen cases. They approach each trial with a sense of responsibility and purpose. Each of them has seen first-hand how important it is for the justice system to provide opportunities for restitution, not just a venue for punishment. I would not be surprised t see one or both of my sons pursue a career in law or government as a result of their experience with Youth Court.

When I heard that the Prevention Council could not continue its funding for this important program I became very concerned. Not only will first-time offenders lose an extremely valuable venue for making amends, youth court officers will also lose the opportunity to participate in a highly visible program that enables them to directly impact their peers and the quality of life in their community.

Joseph English, Galway Youth Court officer: Saratoga County Youth Court has meant a lot to me as an officer a citizen and as member of the Saratoga community. Over the years I have been given first-hand knowledge and experience with the court system, and I have learned how the legal process works in depth. In Youth Court I have served as a juror a jury foreperson and a prosecuting attorney in over 20 cases and have heightened my sense of empathy and made me want to help less fortunate members of society. Saratoga Youth Court has inspired me to become an attorney at law when I get older, and it has allowed me to meet many other motivated students that are interested in helping the community as well. As a Youth Court Officer, I have also seen how much the program can encourage young offenders to turn their lives around and become a productive member of their society.

Marissa Mastroianni, former Burnt Hills Youth Court officer: I am now a college freshman and I began Youth Court during my freshman year of high school. My four years with the program have meant a great deal to me Youth Court was a huge part of my life where I handled over 400 cases. The program helped me decide that I definitely wanted to go to law school and was a way where I could give back to my community. Because of the program I gained confidence, improved my public speaking abilities and I was able to get an internship with the Saratoga Town Court. I owe so much to Youth Court and its coordinators. From firsthand experience I know that the offenders that are sent to Youth Court really learn their lesson. Youth Court has been taking care of the community’s youth for years successfully. Without Youth Court offenders would not bet the personal attention and experience that they need in order to completely reform.

Brian Gagnon, Clifton Park Youth Court officer: Youth Court has given me an opportunity to give back to the community. I have learned a lot from Youth Court, how the judicial system operates and what can happen if the law is broken as well as the knowledge to make me a responsible adult. I have grown from my experience in so many ways. I’ve been on the jail tour and a sobering reality hit me. Twice I have had offenders approach me after the trials saying how this has been a positive experience to them and brought them to face reality and own up to their mistakes. Both told me that this second chance is what they needed to live effective lives as members of the community.

Grace Gurney, parent of Corinth Youth Court officer: This program has given my son a sense of value and worth instilling in him a sense of responsibility that is rare in a person so young. He takes his duties in the Youth Court very seriously and applies all of the knowledge and skills he garnered to be fair and just. He has often shared with me that he feels this one time opportunity for someone who has made a mistake to make it right is necessary in rehabilitating the offender before they move onto more serious and damaging behavior. My family has been very involved in law enforcement for several generations in Saratoga County. When we discussed this opportunity for James my father who was a Saratoga County Sheriff’s Investigator pointed out to all of us often times younger people are tougher on each other and hold each other to a higher standard. This standard is important in order to form more safe and secure communities if we instill a standard of accountability in our youth then the future of our community’s will be secure. James has often talked about pursuing a career in law a decision, which has been directly influenced by his experience with the Saratoga County Youth Court.

James Gurney, Corinth Youth Court officer: As an officer of Youth Court this means a lot to me my family and my town. I have learned how a real trial works in a true court experience. My family the Gurneys have been involved in law enforcement in various ways for five generations and my grandfather who recently passed away got to see his youngest grandson be a part of the Gurney legal tradition.

Brian Morris, Saratoga Springs Youth Court officer: As an officer, Youth Court is and has been a sense of pride for me and all those involved. It is something I can put effort into and see a positive outcome for all those involved. This program allows me to grow as a person of my community. It has given me a taste for law that I would not have gotten elsewhere and has forced me to learn quickly and think on my feet.

Jessi Corrigan, Mechanicville Youth Court officer: I’ve learned that I like being an officer in court rather than a defendant. Youth Court has taught me to be active in my community. I have two girls that have participated in Youth Court. It has been a positive learning experience. It has shown them the reality of facing consequences for one’s actions.