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Advocating for Youth in the
Juvenile Justice System
Know Your Rights
Presented by the Center for Community Alternatives (CCA)
Why Its Important to
Know Your Rights
Do you sometimes think you dont need to know
legal stuff because
 I am not going to get into trouble
 the police will inform me of my rights
 my parents/friends will know what to do
 juvenile charges are not that serious and no big
deal
Am I In Trouble?
Everyday youth are brought into the juvenile justice
system for all kinds of different offenses.
 Loitering
 Disturbing the peace
 Vandalism
 Fighting
Police Contact
What happens when the police want to talk to
your child?
 Identifying information
 Questions about criminal activity
 Physical restraint i.e. placing hand on shoulder
 Consent to search
 Right to remain silent
Police Contact: Minor Offenses
Police contact for a young person under the age of
16 usually results in
 the young person receiving an appearance ticket
stating that probation will contact them
 a requirement that the young person and his/her
parents/guardians meet with the assigned
probation officer
Police Contact: Serious Offense
Police contact for a young person under the age of
16 usually results in
 the young person being escorted to Family Court
where
 a parent/guardian will be contacted
 judge decides whether to send to detention
facility
OR
 after business hours, Hillbrook staff complete a risk
assessment instrument by phone to decide whether
to detain youth
Warn and
Release
Appearance
Ticket for
Probation Intake
Probation
intake and
development
of diversion
plan
Probation
intake and
petition to
Family Court
Detain Pending
Court
Appearance
Bring
directly to
court
Call
Hillbrook to
administer
the RAI
Law Enforcement Options for Juveniles at Initial Contact
Diversion
 The majority of young people who have police
contact will avoid Family Court
 An appearance ticket will be issued stating that
Probation will contact the young person
 The young person will be assigned a Probation
Officer who will develop a diversion plan that will
require the young person to adhere to certain
conditions
Working with the Probation Officer
 A parent/guardian must accompany the young
person to the first meeting with the PO.
 Remember the PO is trying to help your child avoid
Family Court involvement.
 Share any relevant information about your childs
needs with the PO. He/she can help link your
child to services.
 Make a good impression. Be cooperative,
respectful, and open to suggestions.
 Talk to your child about how to appropriately
interact with his/her PO
Taken into Custody
If your child is taken into custody, you should
 Get information about where your child is being
held and what the charges are
 Try to see your child immediately
 Not allow police to talk to your child without
you
 Remind your child NOT to talk without an
attorney
Family Court Process
Initial Appearance
Release Home
Detention
Probable Cause
Hearing
Convert to PINS
petition
Adjournment in
Contemplation of Dismissal
Fact Finding
Disposition
Conditional
Discharge
Probation
Supervision
Placement with
local service
provider
Placement with
State Office of
Children and
Family Services
Juvenile Delinquents
Minor Offenses
Juvenile Offenders
Serious Offenses
Definition At least 7 yrs old & less than 16 yrs
old
A youth 13 to 15 yrs old
Where case decided Family Court County or Supreme Court
Police Contact Taken into custody Arrested
First court appearance Initial appearance Arraignment in Criminal Court
Prosecution Deputy County Attorney Assistant District Attorney
Custody Options Remand to secure or non secure
detention or released
Bail, ROR, remand to secure
detention
Legal Representation Appointed Attorney for the Child Defense Counsel
How case decided Fact Finding Hearing Plea/Trial
Judicial Options Dispositional Hearing
-probation
-placement with OCFS
-Adjournment in Contemplation of
Dismissal (ACD)
-conditional discharge
-restitution
Sentencing, if convicted
-probation
-confinement in an OCFS
secure facility
Obtaining an Attorney for the Child
 An Attorney for the Child will be appointed at
the young persons first appearance in Family
Court to serve as an advocate and represent
his/her interests.
 Parents/Guardians can hire an attorney for their
child. Both court-appointed and hired attorneys
will work to represent the interest of their client.
Working with the Attorney:
DO
 Make sure to inform your childs attorney of all
pertinent information regarding your child.
 Offer to assist with leg work for the Fact-Finding
Hearing.
 Provide the attorney with letters of support to
document your childs character.
 Stay open minded to advice from the Attorney for
the Child.
Working with the Attorney:
DONT
 Forget that the attorney is representing your
CHILD, not you.
 Cross the line from advocate to annoyance. Be
mindful that your child is NOT the only client of
the attorney.
 Underestimate the importance of making a good
impression. Remember the attorney did not know
you before this incident.
Family Court
 Your attendance in Family Court is very important. A
judge is more likely to allow your child to return home
if a parent is present in court.
 If you cannot attend a specific court date, you should
inform your childs lawyer.
 Be prepared to wait in the waiting area for long periods
of time.
 Always speak to the lawyer prior to a court date so you
can all be on the same page.
Social Investigation
 The court may ask Probation to complete a Social
Investigation.
 A Probation Officer will interview the child, the
parents, and other relevant people. They will also
obtain documentation like school records.
 This information will be provided to the Court to:
 Give a picture of the childs background and history
 Recommend appropriate dispositions
How Can I Help
With the Social Investigation?
 Be respectful when speaking to the Probation
Officer. Watch your body language and your
attitude as his/her impression of you will be
documented and may affect your childs outcome in
court.
 It is important you offer positive information about
your child such as involvement in after-school
activities, good attendance in school, etc.
 Be honest and try not to become emotional.
Fact Finding Hearing
 In a juvenile delinquency case, the trial is called a
fact finding hearing. A fact-finding hearing is
the same as a criminal trial but without a jury.
 The judge decides whether the child committed
the acts described in the petition to Family Court
and should be adjudicated a juvenile delinquent.
Dispositional Hearing
 In a juvenile delinquency case, a sentencing is
called a dispositional hearing.
 The County Attorneys office will present
recommendations (that Probation may have
helped develop in the social investigation).
 The Attorney for the Child should be prepared
to suggest alternative dispositions.
How Can I Help
With the Hearings?
 Be present at all court dates and act
appropriately.
 Offer to work with the attorney to track down
witnesses, collect letters of support, etc.
 Discuss possible dispositions with the attorney:
 Ask about the various options
 Make suggestions if you have an idea for an effective
disposition
How Should I Act in Family Court?
 Come early. Contact your childs lawyer if you
are going to be late.
 Be respectful and cooperative.
 Dress appropriately. No shorts or party clothes.
 Be mindful of your body language.
 Discuss everything you might want to say to the
judge with your childs lawyer first.
You Have the Right
 to know the charges against your child if he/she is
taken into custody.
 to be involved in creating the diversion plan for your
child.
 to a lawyer. An Attorney for the Child will be assigned
to represent your child if the case does go to Family
Court.
 to be notified, in advance, when any court dates are
scheduled.
You Have the Right
 to be present at all court proceedings and inform
the court of how you will supervise your child and
meet release requirements.
 to be informed of alternative programs available for
your childs rehabilitation.
 to work closely with all aftercare authorities and
community-based agencies involving your child.
Why is it Important to
Advocate for My Child?
 If the Probation Officer or Attorney for the
Child like you, they may work harder for your
child.
 If you are involved in the process, you may be
able to get your child connected to services
instead of just punishment.
 If you know your rights and are paying
attention, it is less likely that your child will fall
through the cracks.
Disproportionate
Minority Contact (DMC)
DMC occurs when the proportion of
youth of color who pass through the
juvenile justice system exceed the
proportion of youth of color in the
general population.
DMC becomes worse as youth of color
pass through the system starting with
arrest and ending with placement or
incarceration.
How Does DMC Happen?
 DMC can occur at any point in the processing
of a case in the juvenile justice system from
police contact to placement.
 Decision-making based on race can compound
throughout the system resulting in cumulative
disadvantage for youth of color.
Cumulative Disadvantage
Law
Enforcement
Deployment
Appearance Ticket/
Warn & Release
Court Appearance/
Police Dropoff
Release/
Detention
Diversion
Petition to
Family Court
Attorney for
the Child
Probable
Cause
Hearing
Fact Finding
Hearing
Disposition
Probation
Violations
Reintegration Services
Cumulative
Disadvantage
Onondaga County Disparity
Black Youth as a Percentage of...
72
61
62
40
16
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80
OCFS Secure Placements
Cases Petitioned to Family Court
Hillbrook Admissions
Juvenile Arrests
Onondaga County Youth
Population
Percentage
Black youth are:
 Arrested 5.27 times more
often
 Securely detained 1.42
times more often
 Petitioned to Family
Court 1.14 times more
often
than White youth
Juvenile Record
 The moment your child enters the juvenile
justice system, a record is created. When your
child is arrested, there is a record of your childs
arrest, even if no charges are filed
 If charges are filed, the record will also include
the charges against your child, whether your
child was adjudicated delinquent, and any
records from probation
Parental Involvement
 Rememberyour involvement during this
difficult process is very important. Your child is
scared and, in most instances, will not know
how to react to all that is happening to them.
 Your child will need you to remain calm and
show by example how he/she should behave.
Talk your child and keep in mind both of you
are very emotional.

More Related Content

onondaga-county-know-your-rights-power-point-additional.ppt

  • 1. Advocating for Youth in the Juvenile Justice System Know Your Rights Presented by the Center for Community Alternatives (CCA)
  • 2. Why Its Important to Know Your Rights Do you sometimes think you dont need to know legal stuff because I am not going to get into trouble the police will inform me of my rights my parents/friends will know what to do juvenile charges are not that serious and no big deal
  • 3. Am I In Trouble? Everyday youth are brought into the juvenile justice system for all kinds of different offenses. Loitering Disturbing the peace Vandalism Fighting
  • 4. Police Contact What happens when the police want to talk to your child? Identifying information Questions about criminal activity Physical restraint i.e. placing hand on shoulder Consent to search Right to remain silent
  • 5. Police Contact: Minor Offenses Police contact for a young person under the age of 16 usually results in the young person receiving an appearance ticket stating that probation will contact them a requirement that the young person and his/her parents/guardians meet with the assigned probation officer
  • 6. Police Contact: Serious Offense Police contact for a young person under the age of 16 usually results in the young person being escorted to Family Court where a parent/guardian will be contacted judge decides whether to send to detention facility OR after business hours, Hillbrook staff complete a risk assessment instrument by phone to decide whether to detain youth
  • 7. Warn and Release Appearance Ticket for Probation Intake Probation intake and development of diversion plan Probation intake and petition to Family Court Detain Pending Court Appearance Bring directly to court Call Hillbrook to administer the RAI Law Enforcement Options for Juveniles at Initial Contact
  • 8. Diversion The majority of young people who have police contact will avoid Family Court An appearance ticket will be issued stating that Probation will contact the young person The young person will be assigned a Probation Officer who will develop a diversion plan that will require the young person to adhere to certain conditions
  • 9. Working with the Probation Officer A parent/guardian must accompany the young person to the first meeting with the PO. Remember the PO is trying to help your child avoid Family Court involvement. Share any relevant information about your childs needs with the PO. He/she can help link your child to services. Make a good impression. Be cooperative, respectful, and open to suggestions. Talk to your child about how to appropriately interact with his/her PO
  • 10. Taken into Custody If your child is taken into custody, you should Get information about where your child is being held and what the charges are Try to see your child immediately Not allow police to talk to your child without you Remind your child NOT to talk without an attorney
  • 11. Family Court Process Initial Appearance Release Home Detention Probable Cause Hearing Convert to PINS petition Adjournment in Contemplation of Dismissal Fact Finding Disposition Conditional Discharge Probation Supervision Placement with local service provider Placement with State Office of Children and Family Services
  • 12. Juvenile Delinquents Minor Offenses Juvenile Offenders Serious Offenses Definition At least 7 yrs old & less than 16 yrs old A youth 13 to 15 yrs old Where case decided Family Court County or Supreme Court Police Contact Taken into custody Arrested First court appearance Initial appearance Arraignment in Criminal Court Prosecution Deputy County Attorney Assistant District Attorney Custody Options Remand to secure or non secure detention or released Bail, ROR, remand to secure detention Legal Representation Appointed Attorney for the Child Defense Counsel How case decided Fact Finding Hearing Plea/Trial Judicial Options Dispositional Hearing -probation -placement with OCFS -Adjournment in Contemplation of Dismissal (ACD) -conditional discharge -restitution Sentencing, if convicted -probation -confinement in an OCFS secure facility
  • 13. Obtaining an Attorney for the Child An Attorney for the Child will be appointed at the young persons first appearance in Family Court to serve as an advocate and represent his/her interests. Parents/Guardians can hire an attorney for their child. Both court-appointed and hired attorneys will work to represent the interest of their client.
  • 14. Working with the Attorney: DO Make sure to inform your childs attorney of all pertinent information regarding your child. Offer to assist with leg work for the Fact-Finding Hearing. Provide the attorney with letters of support to document your childs character. Stay open minded to advice from the Attorney for the Child.
  • 15. Working with the Attorney: DONT Forget that the attorney is representing your CHILD, not you. Cross the line from advocate to annoyance. Be mindful that your child is NOT the only client of the attorney. Underestimate the importance of making a good impression. Remember the attorney did not know you before this incident.
  • 16. Family Court Your attendance in Family Court is very important. A judge is more likely to allow your child to return home if a parent is present in court. If you cannot attend a specific court date, you should inform your childs lawyer. Be prepared to wait in the waiting area for long periods of time. Always speak to the lawyer prior to a court date so you can all be on the same page.
  • 17. Social Investigation The court may ask Probation to complete a Social Investigation. A Probation Officer will interview the child, the parents, and other relevant people. They will also obtain documentation like school records. This information will be provided to the Court to: Give a picture of the childs background and history Recommend appropriate dispositions
  • 18. How Can I Help With the Social Investigation? Be respectful when speaking to the Probation Officer. Watch your body language and your attitude as his/her impression of you will be documented and may affect your childs outcome in court. It is important you offer positive information about your child such as involvement in after-school activities, good attendance in school, etc. Be honest and try not to become emotional.
  • 19. Fact Finding Hearing In a juvenile delinquency case, the trial is called a fact finding hearing. A fact-finding hearing is the same as a criminal trial but without a jury. The judge decides whether the child committed the acts described in the petition to Family Court and should be adjudicated a juvenile delinquent.
  • 20. Dispositional Hearing In a juvenile delinquency case, a sentencing is called a dispositional hearing. The County Attorneys office will present recommendations (that Probation may have helped develop in the social investigation). The Attorney for the Child should be prepared to suggest alternative dispositions.
  • 21. How Can I Help With the Hearings? Be present at all court dates and act appropriately. Offer to work with the attorney to track down witnesses, collect letters of support, etc. Discuss possible dispositions with the attorney: Ask about the various options Make suggestions if you have an idea for an effective disposition
  • 22. How Should I Act in Family Court? Come early. Contact your childs lawyer if you are going to be late. Be respectful and cooperative. Dress appropriately. No shorts or party clothes. Be mindful of your body language. Discuss everything you might want to say to the judge with your childs lawyer first.
  • 23. You Have the Right to know the charges against your child if he/she is taken into custody. to be involved in creating the diversion plan for your child. to a lawyer. An Attorney for the Child will be assigned to represent your child if the case does go to Family Court. to be notified, in advance, when any court dates are scheduled.
  • 24. You Have the Right to be present at all court proceedings and inform the court of how you will supervise your child and meet release requirements. to be informed of alternative programs available for your childs rehabilitation. to work closely with all aftercare authorities and community-based agencies involving your child.
  • 25. Why is it Important to Advocate for My Child? If the Probation Officer or Attorney for the Child like you, they may work harder for your child. If you are involved in the process, you may be able to get your child connected to services instead of just punishment. If you know your rights and are paying attention, it is less likely that your child will fall through the cracks.
  • 26. Disproportionate Minority Contact (DMC) DMC occurs when the proportion of youth of color who pass through the juvenile justice system exceed the proportion of youth of color in the general population. DMC becomes worse as youth of color pass through the system starting with arrest and ending with placement or incarceration.
  • 27. How Does DMC Happen? DMC can occur at any point in the processing of a case in the juvenile justice system from police contact to placement. Decision-making based on race can compound throughout the system resulting in cumulative disadvantage for youth of color.
  • 28. Cumulative Disadvantage Law Enforcement Deployment Appearance Ticket/ Warn & Release Court Appearance/ Police Dropoff Release/ Detention Diversion Petition to Family Court Attorney for the Child Probable Cause Hearing Fact Finding Hearing Disposition Probation Violations Reintegration Services Cumulative Disadvantage
  • 29. Onondaga County Disparity Black Youth as a Percentage of... 72 61 62 40 16 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 OCFS Secure Placements Cases Petitioned to Family Court Hillbrook Admissions Juvenile Arrests Onondaga County Youth Population Percentage Black youth are: Arrested 5.27 times more often Securely detained 1.42 times more often Petitioned to Family Court 1.14 times more often than White youth
  • 30. Juvenile Record The moment your child enters the juvenile justice system, a record is created. When your child is arrested, there is a record of your childs arrest, even if no charges are filed If charges are filed, the record will also include the charges against your child, whether your child was adjudicated delinquent, and any records from probation
  • 31. Parental Involvement Rememberyour involvement during this difficult process is very important. Your child is scared and, in most instances, will not know how to react to all that is happening to them. Your child will need you to remain calm and show by example how he/she should behave. Talk your child and keep in mind both of you are very emotional.