2009/2010 Peer Court Calendar

 

 

 

 

     

  

 

       

 

IF YOU LOVE A CHILD YOU NEED TO KNOW THIS…..

 

Peer Court Coordinator Karen Green and Deputy District Attorney Todd Kuhnen made presentations to parents of 7th and 8th grade students on the dangers of alcohol and drug use, focusing on the increasing incidences of prescription drug and marijuana use by 12 to 14 year olds as indicated in the recent Healthy Kids Survey.  Added information was provided on the consequences of sexting messages being sent by this age group. Current laws do not necessarily treat the student as a juvenile and the consequences for the citation having to be heard in adult  court  are substantial. Parents were challenged and given helpful information on how to talk with their child about these issues and received information on county resources for additional help, information or to report any incidence.

Coordinator Green did in class presentations to middle school students in the Western Placer, Rocklin and Loomis school districts focusing on the most common juvenile crimes—theft, drugs, and truancy—and how making good decisions is so critical now for their future college admission and employment. Sexting, Facebook, My Space and other social networking, parties and drug experimentation were all touched on as students had the opportunity to gain accurate information about today’s juvenile laws and ask questions.

“This is such vital information for our children to receive and to understand how quickly they can find themselves in the juvenile justice system,” Green stated. “They all seem to have cell phones equipped with photo capability. They transmit a lot of personal information without even realizing the dangers. Once they hit the ‘send button’ the information is out there and out there forever!”

A Substance Abuse grant from the Collaborative Justice Committee of the California Judicial Council provided the funding for this program.  Over 3,000 students and parents received the information. Green and Kuhnen hope to expand the program to other Placer County communities.

 

 

 

 

                        -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

 

 

 

 

HEALTHY DECISIONS FOR A NEW DECADE

The theme for the 5th Annual Youth Court Summit provided youth and adult chaperones with a variety of workshops and activities at U. C. Davis June 24-27. Sponsored by the California Association of Youth Courts, The National Association of Youth Courts, The Administrative Office of the Courts, The Santa Cruz Office of Education and Pacific Gas and Electric, students and chaperones stayed and ate in the University dorms where students got a taste of dorm living and being on a large campus.

Guest speaker and workshop presenters included Dr. Jack Wasserman who spoke with participants on mental health issues among teens and the negative stereotypes they face, Shane Witnov and Zoe Savitshy UC Berkely  law students gave information on the unexpected consequences of social networking. Patrick Mauer gave a dynamic presentation on Passion, Purpose and Perseverance challenging participants to not give on their goals and dreams. Minority issues were addressed in Archie Bunker’s Neighborhood an interactive game illustrating biases and discrimination endured by various groups on a daily basis.

Adult participants were able to receive a Youth Court 101 training from the National Association of Youth Courts presented by Judge J. Richard Couzens the NAYC President, and Karen Green, the Immediate Past President of NAYC and Coordinator of the Placer County Peer Court program. Other workshops included:  Decisions Under the Influence;  What Should I Be Doing Now? Preparing for life after high school;  Teen Dating Violence and Sexual Assault; Healthy Girls;  Everything You’ve Always Wanted to Know About Youth Courts; and the Road to Law School

Everyone enjoyed a barbeque, DJ, and games on the UC Davis quad one evening and the improv group ComedySportz.  Mariela Ramirez and Spencer Jones two Placer County teen attorneys attended the Summit

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

© 2009 Placer County Peer Court - Email the Webmaster