Le Roy's Youth Court

Photo and caption by Weegie - Students who have volunteered and have been trained to participate in Youth Court are Ed Englerth, David Gartley, Lindsey Bonn, Marisa Bartz, Shannon Scott, Matt Bennetti, Mark Nichols, Andrew Hempfling, Jake Whiting, Ryan Duthe and Tim Wilson.

NOV. 24, 2003 - by Weegie Pratt - The Le Roy Youth Court is a voluntary alternative to the criminal justice system. Its goal is to intervene in early anti-social, delinquent and criminal behavior to reduce the incidence and prevent the escalation of such behavior.

Judges, police, probation departments and school decide which cases are to be heard. They can include shoplifting, larceny, vandalism, and criminal mischief.

Le Roy students between the ages of 13 and 19 who have successfully completed a multi-week law related program hear the cases as judge, prosecuting attorney, defense attorney, and clerk. Students rotate in order to experience all the offices. A panel of three judges hear each case and once all the facts have been examined, the judges have numerous sentencing options. They may include unconditional discharge, conditional discharge (community service) restitution, safety course, essays, tutoring, and letters of apology. The judges cannot sentence any youth to a detention facility or jail.

A respondent that is judged by his/her own peers is not sent to Family Court and therefore not labeled a juvenile delinquent. He/she does not have to pay attorney fees. The respondent learns to assume responsibility for his/her actions and learns about the justice system. Complete confidentiality is stressed throughout the entire process. Proceedings are not open to the public but the respondent has the right to have parents present. Youth Court is often a "wake up call" for juveniles who are on the wrong track.

Youth Court is supervised and daily operations are overseen by the Coordinator, Ronald Paganin. Other members of the Board are Chairman Christopher K. Hayward Acting Chief of Police, Village Trustee Andrea Barber, Attorney at Law Mark Boylan, Wyoming Co. Asst. D.A. Donald OíGeen, Town Councilman Phil McBurney, Town Justice Charles Dusen, School Resource Officer Eric Miller, LHS Principal Charles Herring, Director of Le Roy Christian Community Project Sue Wakefield and LCCP Janna Clark.