By LISA APPLEGATE
THE ROANOKE TIMES

Archives Reprint

Beginning in January, students at Patrick Henry High School who admit wrongdoing may face a jury of their peers.

A new youth court, established by the Greater Roanoke Valley Character Coalition, will begin at the high school as a pilot program. If all goes well, other Roanoke Valley high schools could establish courts for the 2004-05 school year.

Patrick Henry's youth court will be the only functioning one in Virginia. Another had been operating in Northern Virginia but failed for lack of funding, according to National Youth Court Center Director Tracy Godwin Mullins.

Here's how it works: A student commits an offense during school, such as fighting, having cigarettes or stealing. An administrator gives the student and his or her parents the choice of facing charges in juvenile court or admitting guilt and going to youth court.

The jury - five fellow students who have been trained in judicial procedure - is responsible for deciding punishment. The courts may assign community service, financial restitution, written apologies or even essays. Many offenders must return to court, this time serving as jury members.

Nationwide, there are about 900 youth courts, up from a handful when the concept began in the 1970s. A study conducted last year by the Urban Institute estimates that youth courts are handling more than 100,000 cases each year.

Locally, the idea developed out of a judicial committee of the Character Coalition. Made up of volunteers, the coalition formed more than a year ago in hopes of promoting character education communitywide.

Retired Circuit Judge Diane Strickland, who led the committee, said the group had heard about youth courts in other states and decided to investigate. In April, a task force that included students and school administrators started planning.

Patrick Henry High School Principal Peter Wonson attended those spring meetings. Shortly after the school was selected as the court's pilot site, it was included in media coverage about the school resource officer program and the Roanoke school system's failure to accurately report violence and crime data.

Committee members say any school would benefit from the program because it could lower the number of repeat offenders.

The Urban Institute's study found that within six months of their offense, about 9 percent of students punished in youth court faced new charges. That is compared to 18 percent for offenders who went through the juvenile justice system.

The study found that the typical teen who chose youth court was younger than 16 and in trouble for the first time. Juvenile and Domestic Relations Judge Joseph Bounds, who also serves on the task force, said the youth court will help alleviate some of the burden placed on the court system, while providing a more personalized approach for teens who might easily change their behavior.

At least two confidential court sessions will be held each week at Patrick Henry. An adult - most likely a volunteer attorney - will be there to answer questions.

Committee members say students in the jury pool will gain real-life knowledge of the judicial system. Plus, offending students will benefit from some "positive peer pressure."

"I think if you're tried by your own peers, they might think twice about what they did," said Patrick Henry senior JJ Elliott.

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