NAWILIWILI — Teen Court, administered by Hale ‘Opio, has life despite a cut from the Hawai‘i State Judiciary budget. A $1,200 grant from the Young Brothers Community Advisory Board, a strong supporter of the Teen Court program in the past,
NAWILIWILI — Teen Court, administered by Hale ‘Opio, has life despite a cut from the Hawai‘i State Judiciary budget.
A $1,200 grant from the Young Brothers Community Advisory Board, a strong supporter of the Teen Court program in the past, will support the operations of the Kaua‘i Teen Court, states a release from Hale ‘Opio.
“Young Brothers’ award will join other individuals, companies and foundations of Kaua‘i who stepped forward during the past few months to help restart the Kaua‘i Teen Court,” said Hale ‘Opio Executive Director Mary Navarro, who was on hand to accept the grant along with Anela Patterson, Friday morning at the Young Brothers Nawiliwili Port.
The Kaua‘i Teen Court program became in jeopardy when it suffered a cut from the Hawai‘i State Judiciary budget in July, 2009, the release states.
The Kaua‘i Teen Court is for first-time youth offenders and offers the opportunity for a youth to participate in a process where they, and their parents, attend a court hearing with volunteer adult judges and volunteer youth serving as prosecuting and defense attorneys, bailiff, court clerk and a jury of peers.
Sentencing is deliberated by the peer jury and requirements are selected to follow a restorative justice model focusing on providing opportunities for a youth offender to give back to the Kaua‘i community through community service and to possibly “make it right” with the victim.
When appropriate, youth offenders are also assigned to classes in substance abuse, anger management, or victim impact to help them learn new skills which will enable them to make better choices in the future.
A successful completion of the sentencing requirements will result in the offending youth not having a juvenile record.
