Jury of peers would handle first-time, minor offenses

Grantsville youth that violate laws or have perpetual behavior problems at school may find themselves standing before a jury of their own peers in the near future.

Under a movement spearheaded by Keith Davis, Grantsville Junior High principal, the Grantsville City Council and Tooele County School Board have approved the creation of a youth court. The project is now waiting for final approval from the state Attorney General.

“The youth court would be another tool for schools and the community to use to deal with problem behavior,” Davis said.

Youth courts are authorized under state law to work as an adjunct to juvenile courts as an alternative to traditional courtrooms. The Grantsville youth court would hear cases of first-time juvenile offenders for offenses of a Class B misdemeanor nature or lower committed by youth within the city limits of Grantsville or students attending school in Grantsville.

In order for the youth court to hear a case, the defendant must agree to plead guilty and accept the consequences for his behavior. The court may also hear referrals from schools for behavior-related problems.

Once a youth offender satisfies the conditions imposed by the court, his juvenile record is expunged. For the judicial system, the youth court process allows for first-time minor offenders to receive prompt consequences for their actions from their peers, leaving the formal juvenile court system free to deal with more serious offenses.

Typical cases that will be heard by the youth court are curfew violations, petty theft, tobacco use, alcohol use, criminal mischief, graffiti, truancy and trespassing.

The consequences assigned by the youth court are designed to fit the crime, Davis said. Some consequences available to the youth court include attending smoking cessation classes at Valley Mental Health, participating as a family in Communities that Care’s Guiding Good Choices program, attending school tutoring and remediation programs, community service, school attendance monitoring, restitution and writing letters of apology.

“The youth court system is a win-win situation,” Davis said. “The youth learns an object lesson and makes the community better.”

If the youth does not follow up on the consequences, the case is referred to the 3rd District Juvenile Court. Also, at any time during youth court proceedings, the offender, parents or the prosecution may refer the case to the juvenile court.

Youth court members are high school and junior high school students that volunteer. They need to have at least a 2.5 grade point average, Davis said.

The initial youth court members will complete a minimum of four hours of training, which will be conducted by Officer Becky Hammond of the Tooele Police Department. Hammond is the advisor for the Tooele City Youth Court. Officer Dave Aagard of the Grantsville Police Department will be the advisor for the Grantsville Youth Court.

When a youth appears before the youth court, he is assigned to a youth defense attorney. The role of prosecuting attorney is also filled by a youth. The two present their case to a panel of three youth judges. After hearing from both sides, including a time for parents to address the judges, the judges meet privately to render a decision on an appropriate consequence.

All parties involved sign an affidavit promising to keep the proceedings confidential.

“What happens in youth court stays in youth court,” Davis said.

“This will be a good thing for the community,” said Ron Elton, Grantsville city attorney. “Youth courts have done a good job and are effective.”

Tim Gillie: tgillie@tooeletranscript.com