Kids help kids through new program
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| Paul Colletti/Telegraph Attempting to put toothpaste into the tube parallels the inability to quell the spread of information said in confidence - once it is out, it cannot be put back. This exercise demonstrates that lesson to the students in the Peer Jury Program. |
BY JIM BUTTS
SVN REPORTER
jbutts@svnmail.com
The 13 teenagers weren't wearing black robes. They didn't hammer a single gavel. They sat in desks, not a jury room.
Nonetheless, they were serving as both judge and jury. Their task? To fashion the proper sentence for a 16-year-old girl who stole two CDs from Wal-Mart.
Actually, "Tasha" the thief was just another juror, taking part in a role-playing exercise at the Law Enforcement Center. The teens are training to take part in a new youth court, organized by Dixon High School volunteers under the oversight of the Dixon Police Department.
The peer court is set to begin as soon as next month.
In it, kids ages 10 to 16 who are arrested for nonviolent crimes ranging from violating curfew to underage drinking will appear, in exchange for the chance to avoid the traditional justice system and a criminal record.
To take part in the program, offenders must admit to their wrongdoing, and put their punishment in the hands of a jury of their peers. If they fail to follow the terms of their sentence, it's back to criminal court.
With real cases just around the corner, the teens were taking their exercise seriously Tuesday, as they leaned forward in their chairs and quizzed "Tasha" on her social life, her little brother and just why it was she stole the CDs. Every detail might matter when it came time to form her sentence. For instance, if Tasha liked art, maybe they could incorporate that into her community service.
"We're here to help the person," Detective Sgt. Dan Langloss reminded them.
Langloss, Officer Jason LaMendola, School Resource Officer Steven Howell and Sgt. Mike Wolfley have recruited about 30 Dixon High students to be volunteer jurors.
Langloss helped start the youth court because he has learned how effective they are in other communities, where they help reduce the number of kids who reoffend, he said.
The court is based on the idea of "restorative justice," which focuses on repairing the harm caused to all victims of the crime. For example, in Tasha's case, it wasn't only the store that was a victim, but the community as a whole, which suffers because of the higher prices thievery causes, the officers explained.
The teens, who gave up their last day of holiday break to attend the five-hour training Tuesday, were constantly reminded that their sentences must meet three goals: to repair the damage the crime did to "all" victims, to build on the strengths and talents of the offender when deciding an individualized punishment, and to fashion a punishment that makes the community safer.
Some, like senior Amanda Brigl, were naturally interested in the topic. Brigl wants to become a criminal psychologist.
Junior Gina Benier volunteered because she wants to be involved not only in school, but also in the community. She's excited about the program, but admits to some trepidation about the awkwardness of passing sentence on peers she'll see later in the hall.
"I think that might help them with their punishment, actually," Senior Ali Dvorak said.
The students will come back to the Law Enforcement Center soon for another quick practice run.
Then it won't be long before they'll doling out real sentences.
Reach Jim Butts at 284-2222 or (800) 798-4085, ext. 570.
