Youth Court

Training:

In preparation, youth volunteers receive twenty hours of training taught by local adult attorneys, judges, and trained mediators. Youth Court training covers jurisdiction, procedure, evidence, advocacy, and case preparation. Victim Offender Mediation training addresses conflict resolution skills, listening skills, and the role of a neutral facilitator in the mediation process. NSYC members may serve as a clerk, attorney, or judge. Youth mediators will have the opportunity to co-mediate victim offender mediations in which the criminal offender is a youth. NSYC meetings feature speakers, workshops, and mock trial clinics.

Call for a youth Bar Association member or Mediator to address your organization.

· Volunteer to work directly with young people or to serve on a committee.

· Make a contribution from the foundation, business, or organization that you represent.

· Provide in-kind donations for our program or office.

If you would like to be put on our mailing list or to be contacted regarding volunteer opportunities or donations, please write to us at the above address, or call to speak with our program director

North Star Youth Court

An alternative approach to conflict resolution

Youth Court

Youth Court North Star Youth Court trains youth between the ages 12-18 to represent and judge their peers in actual criminal cases. Fairbanks area youth serve as judges, prosecuting and defense attorneys, jurors, and court clerks.

Juveniles charged with misdemeanor offenses are referred to Youth Court through the traditional juvenile justice system.

A referral is assigned to Youth Court attorneys. The defendant is arraigned and if a guilty or no contest plea is entered, an appropriate sentence is given. If the defendant enters a plea of not guilty, he or she will be tried by a Youth Court jury or a panel of Youth Court judges.

Youth Court sentences differs from other legal sanctions in that it provides redress to the community while encouraging the defendant to reflect on his or her behavior and change through individualized recommendations of the court. Sentencing options of the Court may include Community Work Service, the writing of an essay or letter of apology, referral to an anger management or shoplifting prevention program, and/or an option to participate as a juror for the Youth Court. Upon closing the case, the defendant receives no criminal record.

What is a Youth Court:

North Star Youth Court

To contact us:

800 Cushman St., Suite 101

P.O. Box 82147

Fairbanks, AK 99708

Phone: (907) 457-6792

Fax: (907) 457-6791

E-mail: Wendy Leach or Marita Bunch

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