|
Purpose /
Accomplishments
/
FAQ
/
Testimonials

Youth Court Receives Liberty Bell
Award. Pictured from left to right are Assistant District
Attorney Bill Reynolds, Prevention Council Executive Director
Judy Ekman, Youth Court Officers Kyle Greenleaf and Danielle
Charbonneau, and Youth Court Director Lisa Chamberlain.
Purpose
The Saratoga County
Youth Court is an alternative to the criminal justice system for
young people who have committed a crime or an offense in our
community. Youth Court works to correct antisocial and criminal
behavior and to prevent such behavior from getting worse, with a
success rate of 80 percent completion or better. Youthful
offenders typically complete their Youth Court sentence
successfully, and the recidivism rate is very low for those who
have been through Youth Courts. The
Youth Court's goal is to help participants gain a greater sense
of justice and respect for themselves, their neighbors, and the
law. Youth Court also trains young people who want to become
members of the court.
Accomplishments
In 2006, the Saratoga County
Youth Court
- Adjudicated 125 offenders in
Saratoga County
- Trained over 75 officers from
10 school districts
- Sentenced offenders to 3,315
hours of community service, 62 letters of apology, 45 jail
tours, 128 classroom activities, 72 educational essays, and
215 terms of jury duty.
- Provided valuable
opportunities for positive growth to the 175 officers and
jurors of the court by allowing them to sharpen their public
speaking skills, interviewing skills, and self-esteem through
their participation in this valuable program.
Top
FAQ
What happens in Youth Court?
What types of cases are heard in Youth
Court?
What is the benefit of participating in Youth
Court?
Do offenders waive any rights by
participating?
Who participates in Youth Court
proceedings?
Who
trains the court officials?
Who can
serve on a Youth Court jury?
What kind of sentences does the jury hand out?
Who can be a member of Youth
Court? How do you become one?
What is the benefit of
becoming a Youth Court official?
What roles do Youth Court officials play?
Where does Saratoga County Youth Court take place?
Where to go for more information?
What happens in
Youth Court? Youth
Court is strictly a sentencing court
for youth who have admitted guilt to a crime or an offense in a
city or town court. After being referred to Youth Court,
the youth appears for a sentencing hearing before a jury of
peers. The jury hears evidence dealing with sentencing,
deliberates, and passes a sentence.
What types of
cases are heard in Youth Court? Most cases involve an
offender who has committed his or her first, non-violent
offense. Typical cases include shoplifting, criminal
mischief, larceny, and vandalism. Cases are referred by judges,
police, and probation departments to the Youth Court director,
who accepts cases that meet established rules.
What is the benefit of participating in Youth Court? Do
offenders waive any rights by participating in Youth Court?
By agreeing to participate in Youth Court, an offender obtains
certain benefits and waives certain rights. Benefits include a
decision by a jury of peers that's aimed at helping the young
person permanently stop their criminal conduct, as well as an
opportunity to participate positively in the criminal justice
system. Since an offender has already pled guilty, an offender
gives up the following rights when they take part in Youth
Court: the right to an attorney, the right to a trial for
determination of guilt, and the right to ask for a closed and
private meeting.
Who participates
in Youth Court proceedings? With guidance from Youth Court
staff and area law enforcement officials, Youth Court
proceedings involve an offender, jurors, and court officials in
the roles of judge, prosecutor, defender, clerk/bailiff, and
jury foreperson. All participants are under age 18.
Who trains the
court officials?
Trainers include police, lawyers, victims' rights advocates and
other professionals. The training program concludes with mock
hearings to prepare members for participation in Youth Court
proceedings.
Who
can serve on a Youth Court jury?
Any young person can volunteer to be a juror and no special
training is necessary. Jurors will hear and see the evidence,
listen to instructions from the judge, consider the case in
private, and agree on a sentence.
What kind of
sentences does the jury hand out? The jury can impose a
sentence that includes community service, counseling, letters of
apology or attendance at classes or workshops. Emphasis is
placed the improvement of past behavior. The jury cannot
sentence any youth to a detention or jail facility.
Who can be a member of Youth Court? How do you become one?
Members of Youth Court are young people who have successfully
completed a 12-hour? law-related
training program. Areas of instruction include an overview of
the criminal justice system from arrest through appeal; the
organization, jurisdiction, and operation of Youth Court; the
penal law; the consequences of crime; and sentencing issues.
What is the benefit of becoming a Youth Court official?
By
participating in the criminal justice system, teen volunteers
gain a better understanding of our laws and how the system
works. Members also gain public speaking skills and debate
techniques while providing an important service to their peers
and their community.
What roles do
Youth Court officials play? Youth Court members will serve
in the following roles on a rotating basis:
|
Judge - presides over
the sentencing hearing, explains the criminal charge to
the jury, instructs the jury on what evidence and factors
to consider in deciding a sentence, and sentences the
offender in accordance with the jury's verdict. |
|
|
|
Prosecutor -
represents the interests of the people in the community,
investigates the circumstances of the offense and
background of the offender, presents evidence at the
sentencing hearing, and recommends a sentence to the jury. |
|
|
|
Defender - represents
the interests of the offender, investigates the
circumstances of the offense and background of the
offender, presents evidence at the sentencing hearing,
including mitigating evidence, and makes a sentencing
recommendation to the jury. |
|
|
|
Clerk/Bailiff -
maintains accurate records of court proceedings, ensures
smooth operation of court, and administers oaths.
|
|
|
|
Jury Foreperson -
leads deliberations of the jury, and ensures participation
of all jurors and that all appropriate sentencing factors
are addressed, calls for a vote during deliberations, and
announces the jury's verdict. |
Where does Saratoga County Youth
Court take place?
Ballston Spa -
Malta Town Court
|
Burnt
Hills/Ballston Lake - Ballston Town Court
|
Clifton Park - Clifton Park Town Court
|
Mechanicville - Mechanicville City Court
|
Saratoga
Springs - Saratoga City Center
|
Schuylerville - Saratoga Town Court
|
South Glens
Falls - Moreau Town Court
|
Stillwater - Stillwater Town Court
|
Wilton - Wilton Town Court
|
Where can I go to get more information?
For more information, contact Lisa
Chamberlain or Stacey Sullivan at 518-581-1230 or via e-mail at
lisac@preventioncouncil.org.
Testimonial
A fifteen-year old girl who was very shy was sentenced to Youth
Court for a petit larceny charge. Her parents were in the middle
of a nasty divorce and it was taking its toll on her as an only
child. She was somewhat unusual in that she made all contact
with the program herself and, from the beginning, was highly
motivated to complete all her requirements. In fact, after
completing her community service she went on to become volunteer
at the Youth Court in her town. We encouraged her to do so
because she had much to offer, and keeping her close would give
us a chance to support her through a difficult time. As a juror,
she had a lot of insight to offer and took a big part in the
sentencing process. She recently attended the officer training,
participated actively, and is now really motivated to begin her
adventures as a Youth Court officer.
Top
For more information,
please call 518-581-1230. |