Restorative justice is what the Kaua‘i Teen Court is all about. Kaua‘i Teen Court, a program of Hale ‘Opio Kaua‘i, Inc., offers youthful first offenders who admit their guilt the chance to avoid Family Court and a possible permanent criminal
Restorative justice is what the Kaua‘i Teen Court is all about.
Kaua‘i Teen Court, a program of Hale ‘Opio Kaua‘i, Inc., offers youthful first offenders who admit their guilt the chance to avoid Family Court and a possible permanent criminal record, by participating in a trial-like setting before a real judge with other youngsters serving as prosecution and defense attorneys and other court officers.
Restorative justice requires offenders make things right, said Pat Hunter-Williams, Teen Court program manager. The primary goals of Teen Court are to build skills, promote competency, and leave the offenders with new choices to consider that hopefully prevent re-offending, she said.
Respondents who complete the sentencing requirements of Teen Court have no juvenile record and, based on the 3-percent recidivism rate of Kaua‘i Teen Court, the program prevents a majority of teens from being re-arrested for the same offense, she said.
Teen Court officials partner with leaders in the County of Kaua‘i prosecutor’s office, Kaua‘i Police Department, Fifth Judicial Circuit, Juvenile Client and Family Services Branch (Family Court), the Queen Lili‘uokalani Children’s Center, and volunteer Kaua‘i Teen Court Judges Max Graham, Walton Hong, Joseph Kobayashi, Frank Rothschild, Edmund Acoba and Greg Meyers.
The program has been a positive force in the lives of youth respondents and the island community by diverting youth from Family Court while holding them accountable for their behavior, said Hunter-Williams.
Organizers and volunteers of Kaua‘i Teen Court are participating in the third annual celebration of National Youth Court Month during September.
Kaua‘i Teen Court (KTC) officials and volunteers recently received a proclamation from Mayor Bryan J. Baptiste, and a Kaua‘i County Council certificate sponsored by Council Chairperson Bill “Kaipo” Asing.
In addition, KTC officials and volunteers will be staffing an information-awareness booth at Kukui Grove Center, where information and Kaua‘i Teen Court T-shirts will be given away.
The theme of National Youth Court Month 2004 is “Serving Communities — Changing Lives.” This year, over 400 youth, ages 10 to 17, have participated in the Kaua‘i Teen Court program.
Present at the proclamation signing were Hunter-Williams; Graham; Acoba; KPD Deputy Chief Fred DeBusca; Lynn Pizzitola, Hale ‘Opio parent group facilitator; and Laverne Bishop, also of Hale ‘Opio.
KONG Radio Group stations will air public-service announcements about Teen Court during National Youth Court Month.
For more information, call Hale ‘Opio, 245-2873.
