Resolution Adopted and ABA House of Delegates Unanimously and ABA 12 Page Summary included in Blog.
AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION
ADOPTED BY THE HOUSE OF DELEGATES
Unanimous and Excellent 17 Page Brief written by the American Bar Association
RESOLUTION
RESOLVED, That the American Bar Association urges federal, state, territorial, tribal
and local governments to create and provide appropriate support for Youth or Teen
Courts that, through a nondiscriminatory peer-driven restorative justice process
involving family members, diverts youth from the formal consequences of juvenile court
petitions, juvenile probation, adjudications, or juvenile justice sanctions by:
a) Providing civic education for all participants that builds respect for the rule of law
and the legal process, including mentorship and community service
opportunities;
b) Permitting program referrals from prosecutors, probation departments and police,
as well as from the courts, and not limiting program eligibility to first-time
offenders;
c) Encouraging judges, lawyers, law students, civic organizations and businesses to
recruit youth volunteers and to provide training, other assistance and support to
create, sustain and promote programs; and
d) Supporting national, state, and local research and evaluation on all aspects of
these programs.
BY ABA Commission on Youth at Risk
- Excellent 17 Page Brief by ABA Brief Summarizes the Recommendation.
This calls for sustained support of Youth or Teen Courts (these programs are known by different
names in various states) that can divert youth from the formal consequences of juvenile court
involvements through participation in a volunteer program of youth civic engagement and peer
restorative justice, and it outlines key provisions of and best practices for such programs.