Youth Court presents good option for all students who participate

Kids will be kids and sometimes they make mistakes. Mat-Su Youth Court offers those youngsters who commit a first misdemeanor a chance to go before a court of their peers rather than face the charges in a courtroom filled with adults.

While standing before other students their own ages might not be a comfortable situation either, at least they are being tried in front of a judge who may have empathy a battled-hardened adult might not. Plus, they have a defense attorney working for them who may have friends who have been in the same boat. Of course, a student prosecutor will be there to make sure the criminal, if convicted, gets the punishment deserved.

Most convictions end up with community service obligations and restitution where warranted. And in most cases, if the offender stays clean, the record is taken off the files.

All of this takes place in a private setting in the Palmer Courthouse where adults are few and cases are tried with no fanfare.

Starting Monday, students interested in participating in Youth Court can begin five days of training under the tutelage of Valley attorneys. The way it works is similar to real court experiences. The students who complete this week’s session will go to the court and learn from students who have experience. As the year goes on and they learn the ropes, they can move up to defend or prosecute crimes as the primary attorney.

As attorneys grow in the court, some are selected to become judges.

The five-day study session of three hours each day is fairly rigorous, but participants who go on to serve in the court will have a great experience and it will look good on resumes as they continue in their lives.

This is a fine program that offers real-life experiences.

It is also a program many people probably don’t know about. It’s an example of good kids not getting the notice they deserve while kids who make mistakes seem to get the notice they don’t want. Many kids make one mistake and learn from it and move on.

Youth Court helps them do that and everyone in the Valley who cares about our youth should applaud this program.

Interested?

Youth Court is open to Valley students entering grades nine through 12. Training is held from 3 to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday at the Palmer Courthouse. There is a $30 material fee. Contact MSYC at 352-5445. Registration forms are available at the Wasilla Police Department.