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American Probation and Parole Association
Passes a Resolution in Support of Youth Courts
On June 9, 2002 the Executive Committee of the American Probation and Parole Association adopted a resolution in support of the formation and expansion of youth court programs. The resolution as it was adopted appears below.
| Whereas, |
Youth courts (also known as teen courts, peer courts and student courts) are one of the fastest growing crime intervention and prevention programs in the nation. |
| Whereas, |
Youth volunteers, under the supervision of adult volunteers, act as judges, jurors, clerks, bailiffs, and counsel for first time juvenile offenders who are charged with misdemeanors or minor infractions of school rules and consent to the program. |
| Whereas, |
Youth courts engage the community in a partnership with the juvenile justice system, youth programs, schools, attorneys, judges, and police departments working together to form and expand diversionary programs responding to juvenile crime and problem behavior. |
| Whereas, |
Youth courts increase the awareness of delinquency issues and problem behavior on a local level and mobilize community members and youth to take an active civic role in addressing the problem. |
| Whereas, |
Youth courts exemplify the practices of empowering youth through involvement in community solutions, problem-solving, decision-making, leadership development, and positive peer pressure. |
| Whereas, |
Youth courts design effective program services and sentencing options that hold youthful offenders accountable, repair harm to victims and the community, and contribute to public safety. |
| Whereas, |
It is time
to honor youth courts and their volunteers -- youth
and adult -- and the valuable contribution they make
to keep our nation's communities safe. And |
| Therefore, be it Resolved |
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That the American Probation and Parole Association
hereby recognizes the importance of youth courts to
our communities and recommends that probation,
parole, and community supervision agencies support
and assist in the formation and expansion of
diversionary programs known as youth courts. |
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