DATE: April 21, 1998
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBJECT: High School Court Pilot Program
SUMMARY:
This proposal would initiate a pilot program in East County to provide students at a local high school the opportunity to directly observe court proceedings and interact with representatives of the Judicial system. A High School Court Pilot Program would be part of the Court's community outreach mission for the purpose of delivering an important message to teenagers that bad choices adversely affect the rest of their lives.
Recommendation(s): Fiscal Impact: Background:
Most often a youth's initial contact with the judicial system is after they have committed their first crime. Before kids end up in the criminal justice system, it is important for them to know that their illegal actions could lead to severe punishment and adversely affect the rest of their lives. The best tool for getting the message across to teenagers is witnessing first-hand real judicial cases and understanding the correlation between illegal actions and the consequences.
In 1993, Judge Michael A. Martone of Troy, Michigan initiated the Court in the Schools / Critical Life Choices Program in order to reach out to many kids in the area and educate them about the choices they may make during their youth. Judge Martone conducts misdemeanor cases in front on the students about six to eight times per year. The cases are usually drunk driving offenses, possession of controlled substances, shoplifting or other types of cases that the students can identify with their own choices in life.
The most important part of the program is after the cases have been heard and the Judge talks with the students. Videos, guest speakers and group discussion are the tools used for getting the message to them about the choices they will make in life. The essential link made is that their decisions could bring them before a Judge, put them on probation or in jail, or something much worse, death.
A High School Court Pilot Program in East County would work well in conjunction with other community outreach programs being developed by the Courts. The North County Municipal Court has recently started the Positive Impact Program. This program focuses on educating elementary school children about the judicial system. In addition, the South Bay Municipal Court has set up a mentor program which introduces local high school students to varied careers in the criminal justice system.
This proposal would develop a pilot program in East County which would provide for direct interaction between high school students and the criminal justice system. This program focuses on preventing crime and would send a clear message to teenagers that criminal activity is a choice which adversely affects the rest of their lives. We urge your support for this proposal.
Respectfully Submitted,
DIANNE JACOB VICTOR E. BIANCHINI
Unfortunately, drugs, alcohol and other illegal activities are becoming more and more a part of the lives of our kids. Alternative programs, which focus on prevention, are needed to fight this growing problem with a new approach. Reaching out to youth and making them understand the consequences of their actions may be a key component to reducing juvenile crime.
SUPERVISOR DIANNE JACOB AND JUDGE VICTOR E. BIANCHINI:
Direct the Chief Administrative Officer to work with the El Cajon Municipal Court, one local high school and other County offices to develop a pilot program to allow high school students to observe court proceedings and interact with representatives of the criminal justice system, and report back to the Board within 90 days.
There is no fiscal impact associated with this action.
Teenagers face many tough choices during junior high and high school. When making these tough choices, the majority of youth are unaware of what it is like to sit in front of a judge and face the consequences of violating the law. Even more frequently today, some choices they make are illegal and the consequences can devastate their lives.
Supervisor, Second District
Presiding Judge, El Cajon Municipal Court
