Family Voices in Juvenile Justice
Summary
TLDRThis 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
- đšâđ©âđŠ Parents often feel scared, confused, and guilty when their child gets into trouble with the law.
- âïž Juvenile delinquency proceedings focus on rehabilitation rather than punishment, aiming to help the child become a responsible adult.
- đšââïž The juvenile court process involves several stages: probation intake, petition filing, fact-finding (trial), and disposition (sentencing).
- đ©âđŒ Parents are crucial in court, providing support to their child and important information to the judge.
- đŒ The child, not the parent, is assigned an attorney in court, which can be challenging for parents to accept.
- đ The judge decides whether the child will stay at home or in detention during the case.
- đ Incarceration is reserved for children who are a danger to the community, with alternative programs available to help avoid detention.
- đ„ Parents are encouraged to communicate with probation officers and participate in their child's rehabilitation process.
- đŹ Support groups and open communication with lawyers and others in the system can help parents navigate the emotional and legal challenges.
- â€ïž 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?
-Parentsâ presence in court shows support for their child and provides the court with critical information about the childâs 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 childâs 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 childâs rehabilitation and future.
Outlines
đ 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.
đ 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.
đĄ 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 childâs 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 childâs lawyer, asking questions to fully understand the process.
Mindmap
Keywords
đĄJuvenile delinquency
đĄRehabilitation
đĄProbation
đĄDiversion programs
đĄCourt appearance
đĄDetention
đĄAttorney for the child
đĄCommunity-based programs
đĄParental involvement
đĄTough love
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.
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