Family Voices in Juvenile Justice

Summary

This video script emphasizes the emotional and legal complexities faced by families when a child is involved in the juvenile justice system. It highlights the importance of parental support, court procedures, and rehabilitation-focused outcomes over punishment. Personal stories and advice are shared to help parents navigate the process, build relationships with their child's lawyer, and explore alternative programs to detention. The central message encourages parents to remain engaged, ask questions, and provide unwavering support, emphasizing that rehabilitation and positive outcomes are possible with the right approach.

Takeaways

• 👨‍👩‍👦 Parents often feel scared, confused, and guilty when their child gets into trouble with the law.
• ⚖️ Juvenile delinquency proceedings focus on rehabilitation rather than punishment, aiming to help the child become a responsible adult.
• 👨‍⚖️ The juvenile court process involves several stages: probation intake, petition filing, fact-finding (trial), and disposition (sentencing).
• 👩‍💼 Parents are crucial in court, providing support to their child and important information to the judge.
• 💼 The child, not the parent, is assigned an attorney in court, which can be challenging for parents to accept.
• 🏠 The judge decides whether the child will stay at home or in detention during the case.
• 🔒 Incarceration is reserved for children who are a danger to the community, with alternative programs available to help avoid detention.
• 👥 Parents are encouraged to communicate with probation officers and participate in their child's rehabilitation process.
• 💬 Support groups and open communication with lawyers and others in the system can help parents navigate the emotional and legal challenges.
• ❤️ Parents are urged to never give up on their child, despite the challenges, offering both love and tough support throughout the process.

Q & A

What emotions might a parent experience when their child is involved in juvenile delinquency?

Parents may feel anger, confusion, fear, and guilt when their child is involved in juvenile delinquency. These emotions can stem from uncertainty about the situation and their role in it.

How does the juvenile delinquency process differ from adult criminal proceedings?

Juvenile delinquency proceedings focus on rehabilitation rather than punishment. The goal is to provide services to help young people become productive, law-abiding adults.

What are the initial steps when a child enters the juvenile justice system?

The process begins with the child's referral from the police precinct to the probation intake office. This is followed by an adjustment process, and if the case proceeds, a petition is filed for a court appearance.

What is the role of the attorney assigned to the child in a delinquency case?

The child's attorney defends them against charges and advocates for the protection of their rights. The attorney is the child's legal representative, not the parents', which can sometimes be challenging for parents to understand.

Why is it important for parents to attend every court appearance for their child?

Parents’ presence in court shows support for their child and provides the court with critical information about the child’s situation. It also ensures that the child knows they are not alone in the process.

What are some alternative programs to detention for juveniles?

There are community-based programs known as 'alternatives to detention,' which aim to keep children out of detention facilities while providing support and rehabilitation services in a less restrictive environment.

How can parents support their child while on probation?

Parents should maintain regular communication with the probation officer, attend all scheduled appointments, and provide a complete picture of the child’s behavior and challenges. This helps ensure successful compliance with probation conditions.

What should parents do to prepare for juvenile court proceedings?

Parents can prepare by seeking advice from someone who has been through the system, building a relationship with their child's lawyer, asking questions to understand the legal process, and being open to communication with the court and legal representatives.

What impact can parental involvement have on a child's behavior and court outcomes?

Children with involved parents are less likely to enter the adult criminal system. Parental involvement can influence the child's emotional well-being and court outcomes positively, showing the child that someone cares.

What is the long-term message for parents of children involved in the juvenile justice system?

Parents should never give up on their child, even during difficult times. Providing love, support, and sometimes tough love can make a significant difference in the child’s rehabilitation and future.

Outlines

00:00

😟 Navigating Emotional Challenges During Juvenile Delinquency

This paragraph emphasizes the emotional turmoil faced by parents or guardians when their child is involved in juvenile delinquency. It highlights feelings of confusion, fear, and responsibility, especially when parents have to make difficult decisions such as involving the police. The legal process is explained, noting that juvenile delinquency proceedings focus on rehabilitation rather than punishment. Key stages like probation intake, initial appearance, fact-finding, and disposition are introduced. The role of probation and the significance of family support during court proceedings are underlined.

05:02

🔗 Balancing Detention and Alternatives in Juvenile Justice

This section explores the court's decision-making process regarding whether a child should stay at home or be detained during legal proceedings. It addresses the dilemma parents face in balancing punitive and rehabilitative measures. The text discourages unnecessary incarceration, emphasizing the negative outcomes of imprisonment for young people and promoting alternative programs to help children remain productive in their communities. A personal account of a child's initial resistance to a program and eventual acceptance highlights the potential benefits of these alternatives.

10:02

💡 Parental Involvement and Legal Strategies

This paragraph stresses the importance of parental involvement throughout the juvenile justice process. Parents are encouraged to communicate effectively with probation officers, attend court appointments, and provide comprehensive information about their child’s behavior. The text shares personal experiences of parents working with probation officers to ensure their child meets conditions like curfews and community service. It also advises parents to seek support from others who have been through similar situations and to build a relationship with their child’s lawyer, asking questions to fully understand the process.

Keywords

💡Juvenile delinquency

Juvenile delinquency refers to illegal or antisocial behavior by a person under 18. In the video, it is described as an act committed by a young person, with the goal being rehabilitation rather than punishment. This concept is central to understanding the legal process discussed, where the system is designed to help young people become productive citizens.

💡Rehabilitation

Rehabilitation refers to the process of helping individuals restore their lives and become productive members of society, especially after committing crimes. In the context of the video, the juvenile justice system prioritizes rehabilitation over punishment, aiming to provide young offenders with the services they need to reintegrate into society.

💡Probation

Probation is a legal arrangement that allows a young person to stay in the community under supervision rather than being incarcerated. In the video, probation officers monitor juveniles to ensure they meet certain conditions, like attending school or following curfews, which are essential to the goal of rehabilitation.

💡Diversion programs

Diversion programs are alternatives to detention that aim to keep juveniles out of the formal justice system by offering community-based services. These programs are mentioned in the video as effective in keeping young offenders productive and out of trouble, emphasizing community support and personal development over punishment.

💡Court appearance

A court appearance refers to a mandatory attendance in court during the legal process. The video stresses the importance of parents being present at every court appearance, as their involvement shows support for the child and provides the court with valuable insight into the young person’s life.

💡Detention

Detention is the temporary confinement of a juvenile while their case is pending or after a ruling. The video discusses the judge’s role in deciding whether a juvenile remains at home or is held in detention, highlighting the serious nature of this decision and its impact on a young person's future.

💡Attorney for the child

An attorney for the child is a legal representative assigned to defend the juvenile in court. The video explains that the child receives their own lawyer in delinquency cases, and parents often struggle to understand that their child’s lawyer is focused on defending the child’s rights, sometimes without the parent's input.

💡Community-based programs

Community-based programs are support initiatives that aim to help juveniles within their own community, providing services like education, counseling, and structured activities. These programs are seen as alternatives to incarceration, and the video shares the story of a young boy who benefited from such a program, learning valuable life skills.

💡Parental involvement

Parental involvement refers to the active participation of parents in their child’s legal and rehabilitation process. The video emphasizes that consistent parental support can positively influence a juvenile’s case, as it demonstrates to the court that the child has a stable support system at home.

💡Tough love

Tough love refers to the practice of being firm and disciplined while still offering love and support. In the video, this concept is highlighted as a crucial approach for parents dealing with troubled children. By setting boundaries and holding the child accountable, parents can help guide them toward positive change.

Highlights

Assurance of support for those facing juvenile delinquency issues.

Emotional impact of juvenile delinquency on families.

The importance of understanding the juvenile justice system.

The goal of delinquency law is rehabilitation, not punishment.

Process of juvenile delinquency cases from referral to disposition.

Role of probation intake office in the adjustment process.

Importance of parental presence in court for juvenile cases.

The role of Corporation Counsel in investigating juvenile cases.

The child's right to an attorney and parental involvement.

The significance of parents being present at every court appearance.

The potential outcomes of juvenile court decisions.

The impact of incarceration on young people and alternatives.

Success stories of juveniles participating in alternative programs.

The role of probation officers in monitoring and supporting juveniles.

Advice for parents on how to prepare for court and support their child.

Importance of building relationships with child's lawyer and understanding the process.

The value of character letters and community support in court.

The importance of parental involvement to prevent escalation to the adult system.

Personal stories of juveniles and the impact of parental support.

Encouragement for parents to never give up on their children.

Transcripts

We want you to know that you are not

alone. You might be angry. You might be

confused. You might be frightened. The most

important thing to know, right now, is

that there are things you can do to

promote the best possible outcome for

you, your family, and your child. I was

scared to death because I had already

raised my kids and I didn't understand

why my grandchild was getting into

trouble. It is a very emotional situation,

especially in my case, cuz I was the one

making the decision of calling the

police on my son. He was 14 when he got arrested

the first time so I blame myself

because I was like, okay, why didn't I

know that this was going on? Where was I

at? I have a court date with my child and

I don't know what's gonna happen. I don't

know what to expect. I don't know who I

should speak to. I just know that I have

to be there. The respondent, in a short period of time has committed 3-

Juvenile delinquency proceedings are

very different from adult criminal

proceedings. The goal of delinquency law

is to provide the services that the

young person needs to rehabilitate them

It's not punishment, it's rehabilitation,

so they can be good citizens and lead

productive rewarding lives as adults.

A typical delinquency case that goes

through the entire court process will

start with the child being referred from

the precinct to a first appearance in

the probation intake office, and that is

called the adjustment process. If the

case proceeds from there the first stop

in court will be the filing of the

petition and an initial appearance which

is like an arraignment. The next step

would be the fact-finding here

and that is like the trial in an adult

case and then finally the last step is

what's called disposition or sentence.

We talk to the child. We talked to the

victim. We talked to the parents and they

asked questions about what happened and

what factors gave rise to the alleged

act of delinquency we speak to the

arresting officer and then based on all

of that we make a determination of

whether we will refer the case for

prosecution or we'll have the case stay

within the probation department for

diversion.

Once the Department of probation decides

to refer the case to corporation

Counsel, Corporation Counsel then has to

investigate. We do let parents know in

every conversation that we have with

them, we identify ourselves as

prosecutors, and let them know that you

know any information that they tell us

may be shared with the court.

When a child is first brought to court,

the first thing that happens is the

child's assigned an attorney. As the

attorney for the child, we defend them

against the charges and we advocate to

ensure that their rights are protected.

One thing that's often difficult for

parents to understand is that, as the

parent, they are the most important

person in their child's life. And yet,

when they come to Family Court on a

delinquency case with their child, it's

the child who receives the lawyer.

There were times when you're in a room with

the lawyer and your son and they want you

present while they explaining what the

rights are. - Right- Then, after that, I have

to butt out. I have to leave the room.

I think the most important thing for

parents to understand is how critically

important it is for a parent to be

present in court on every single court

appearance. It sends a message to the

young person that they're supported. It

sends a message to the court that the

young person is supported, and the parent

has critical information that the judge

may need. I've sat in the courtroom and

I've seen the judge called a case and a

child got up and there's nobody there

for them. Be there in court, but if the

parent cannot because of the excessive

days they've taken off from work, find a

family member or an advocate that can go

in your place.

I think it's really important for

parents to understand as well as the

public that, although we're dealing with

young people, and children's cases, it's

very serious if a young person is

involved in the juvenile justice system

and family court. The judge will make the

first decision about whether the child

will remain at home while the case is

going on or be held in detention until

the next court date and that's a

decision the judge can make again and

again in either way as the case proceeds

through the delinquency process. In the

end even if the child is found to have

committed the act, he or she still will

not have a criminal record

I want him to be away for a period of

time, to somewhere where it's very

structured. I think that would help and

when he would have come out that he

would have said, you know what, he

would have think about it twice. Parents

might think that the court is either

being too lenient or too punitive and

for parents who think that a period away

from home for a young person is

something to teach that young person a

lesson or might be good for the young

person needs to recognize that young

people have poor outcomes when they are

incarcerated often times and it's very

important that we reserve incarceration

for young people who are truly a danger

to their communities and young people

who cannot safely be maintained in their

homes. We talking about a child being

locked down you know 24/7 and no I don't

think that's an appropriate measure for

no child may be of no age.

We have many many good programs that

help support children in the community

and they're called alternative to detention

programs meaning, instead of placing a

child attention, you want to put these

programs in place so the children could

be home productive stay out of trouble

not get real rest and and yet you know

obviously not pose any risk to the

community or to themselves. The first

thing he said when he walked in the

door was, "I don't want to be here and I don't

like this place and I don't like nobody

here." I said, "You don't know anyone. You

just walked in the door. Give it a chance."

One of the counselors came and spoke to

him. It really did the job because he

came back out the room and he says,

"Grandma, I'm gonna stay, and I'm gonna let--

I'm gonna learn a lot of things."

Well I'm glad Marco came to this program.

I'm glad because this gave him a waking call.

He learnt something, he learned

something from this.

The judge can give a court condition

that the child behave in certain ways,

like maintaining a curfew, attending

schoo, having good behavior at home,

maybe even going to a community-based

program and that will involve the child

meeting with the probation officer who's

ensuring that the child is meeting all

the conditions. The best way that parents

can support their child is to have a lot

of communication with the with the

probation officer that's assigned to the

case. it's very important to go to all

appointments that are given and present

a comprehensive picture of what's going

on in the child's life and not just what's

giving people problems.

When he was on probation, that was the best you know

because she'd hit-- it's probably

because of his probation officer.

She popped up at the house, what's going on?

Where you been? blah blah blah and when he did

violate, she gave him assignments he had do.

Hhe had to do community service.

She made him write reports you know.

A parent, that's going into court can

prepare themselves by asking someone

that's been through the system, "Can you

come to court with me?" Find somebody who

you can talk to, who will give you a

positive, you know, advice, who will help

you hold on. Sometimes we just need to

talk about it. It's our own mental health.

I went to support groups and that was

really great because there were other

parents going through the same or

probably some of them was even worse.

What I would say to the parent is build

a relationship with your child's lawyer.

we do understand that there's confidentiality

confidentiality issues when a lawyer is

speaking to a young person, but with trust

and communication, I feel that a lawyer

is able to explain the process. Ask them to

speak to you in laymen terms so that

you won't be intimidated by the language.

You, yourself, know your child better than

anybody else. You know what they're

capable of. Honestly, be honest, be open, be

open to suggestions and be open to voice

your opinion. The court system don't see

the child as the way we as families or

family members or neighbors see that the

young person. I think that bringing

character letters helps from family

members and neighbors. Do not be nasty to

anyone. Ask a lot of questions and when--

Ask them about programs, what's out there

that can help, and how can they help you.

Ask questions you don't understand. Make

sure that you do. What are the charges?

What can it be done? Can he go to a

program? Can he stay home-- And forcing my

son to plead guilty. If he pleads guilty

what, you know, what are you offering him?

--But I had to push forward and be there

for them and listen to what the lawyer

had to say, what my child had to say, and

then I always did research and try to

talk to people in the juvenile and the

justice system as to what can be done.

When I was approximately 14, the judge

basically told me, "Well Jim I'm

tired of you come into my courtroom and

it seems like you're not learning

anything and it seems like your family and

your neighborhood is really not capable

of helping you. So she sentenced me to her,

to a year. If the parents aren't involved the

kids are more likely to end up in a in

the adult system and I can remember

this vividly where I behaved

inappropriately because I felt like no

one cared about me. Who cares whether I-I

hurt someone or not. Who cares whether I

commit this crime or not? If you don't

have your parents involved then that can

really destroy you emotionally. It could be

longer than what you expect. I can't say

it takes two days, a week, a year, but

never give up on your child. Never give

up on yourself as a parent. The hardest job is

to be a parent so just don't give up. You

didn't give birth to a manual with your

child, so it is a challenge. We have to

let that child know, I don't care what

happens you made a mistake, but you

know what I'm going to be with you

before this happens, and if it happens it

happens, and I'm going to stay behind you

after it happens. Please don't give up on

your child, no matter how hard that

mountain seems that hard for stay

there for them. Please be that crutch and

love that child even if you got to give

them that tough love. Love them and let them

know that no matter what you're always

going to be there. You're not going

nowhere until God take you off this earth.