TV celebrity does a good deed

Say what you want about Greta Van Susteren’s apparent fascination with Gov. Sarah Palin, or her Fox News television show, but she came through for the Mat-Su Youth Court. While covering Palin’s run for high office, Van Susteren, a lawyer, purchased a raffle ticket that netted her $600. The talk-show host then donated the money back to the youth court, meaning the teens got her half and kept their half to pay the bills.

For those who aren’t familiar with youth court, it is a group of students who act as judges, prosecuting and defense attorneys, clerks and bailiffs. These students get at least 24 hours of legal training from local attorneys before they can participate. And they must pass a bar exam, plus learn courtroom procedure, evidence, ethics, case preparation and mock arraignments. For nearly 100 hours of participation, they get one-half credit at their school. The longer they work in the court they higher up the ladder they go.

Before they get their own cases in the Palmer courthouse, the teens have to observe current youth judges, attorneys and other courtroom officials.

The students handle cases for first-time misdemeanor offenders under age 18. After case is heard and arguments are made, a three-judge panel hands down the sentence. Like adult court, the defendant can appeal the sentence.

The teen judges can sentence their peers a number of ways from writing an essay or apology to paying restitution and getting an assessment in the juvenile justice center. The criminals can also be required to attend an adult arraignment or other hearing to see what will happen to them if they don’t change their ways.

Even the defendants benefit. They can get the conviction off their permanent record, giving them a second chance.

And, of course, the community benefits as well when young people learn from their mistakes and choose the right fork in the road when they have to make a difficult decision.

Alcohol and drug use seems to be common offenses among teenagers, so the youth court holds three-hour classes for those offenders as well as giving presentations about the harmful effects of drug and alcohol abuse.

The next training session will be held Jan. 26. The youth court is a good way for teens to get a glimpse of the real world and it likely will give them pause before they do something stupid that could follow them for the rest of their lives.

And for those who face sentencing, the preliminary taste of justice might be enough to make them turn away from crime before it’s too late.

The youth court participants also have to raise money to keep the program going.

That’s where Van Susteren got in on the act.

She helped out some great young people in the Valley. Others could too. If adults know of a student who might like to get involved in their community, Mat-Su Youth Court is a good way to do it.

The number for the youth court is 352-5445. Registration forms are at the Wasilla Police Department.