"Youth courts train teenagers to serve as jurors, judges and attorneys, handling real-life cases involving their peers. The goal of youth court is to use positive peer pressure to ensure that young people who have committed minor offenses pay back the community and receive the help they need to avoid further involvement in the justice system. Youth courts hear a range of low-level crimes; many handle cases that would otherwise wind up in Family Court. The Center launched its first youth court in 1998 as part of the Red Hook Community Justice Center’s efforts to engage young people. Today, the Center also operates youth courts in Harlem, Staten Island, Greenpoint, and Newark, N.J."
I saw this today on Due Process. I've been searching youtube for a video clip and finally located this right on the site.
I did come across a couple youtubes of youth courts in other states and one dating youths and court changes over time from 1885...
Here is proof of the "age old dilemma"
The New Jersey program seems much more refined, focused and helps the youth respect the law. In this Time Dollar youth court, the youth's language about their experiences in very different. It's focused on solely having a second chance and avoiding jail.
I think this is a great idea...It teaches them the fundamentals on how the system works without having to actually go through the system and finding about it the hard way...And it may help them to figure out their career paths in life, like maybe striving to become a judge or lawyer.
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