David Keller Trevaskis, Esquire

Peer Mediation, Anti Bullying and Youth Court Program

Sponsored by…

Peaceful

Endings

Attorneys

Children

Educators

Developed by attorney, mediator and former third grade teacher David Trevaskis in 1993 under the auspices of Indiana’s bar association and Attorney General.

Began in Pennsylvania in 1999. when then Attorney General and now Third Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Michael Fisher brought the program home after Columbine.

Implemented in over 120 elementary and high schools throughout the Commonwealth.

Over 200 schools trained.

Teaches students to deal with conflicts involving other students.

Neutralize minor conflicts before they escalate to explosive confrontations that could potentially lead to violent acts.

Introduce participants to the peer mediation process and other conflict resolution techniques.

Provide participants with instruction about bullying prevention approaches such as the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program. 

Provide Alternative Justice Opportunities Through Youth Courts.

Using the peermediation process

Recognizing that some disputes may involve problems such as bullying and should be handled by caring and trained adults or by adult referrals to school-based youth courts

Children become active participants in promoting positive behavior in their classrooms taking on the

role of peacemaker by:

OR

All schools

◦ Public

◦ Private

◦ Parochial

◦ Rural

◦ Urban

◦ Diverse in student

populations

A juvenile intervention program in which youth are sentenced by their peers in collaboration with adults.

Also referred to as:Teen courtPeer courtStudent court

Defense Attorney (youth advocate) Prosecuting Attorney (community advocate) Clerk Bailiff Jurors Sometimes, a youth judge

*Volunteer roles will vary according to the program model the youth court utilizes.

Serves as a prevention and early intervention program

Offers a way to hold juvenile offenders accountable

Provides a means for educating youth on the legal and judicial system

Provides a meaningful forum for youth to build competencies and practice and enhance skills

Offers an avenue for youth to provide service for and build ties to their communities

Youth empowerment

Youth CourtsYouth Courtsin PAin PA

Somewhere Around 30 Youth

Court Programs in Pennsylvania

Juvenile Diversion programs Primary First-time low-level offenders –

1st or 2nd step in a system of graduated sanctions

Misdemeanor, non-violent cases Most Require youth to admit to charge Most are Voluntary participation Parental consent/participation

mandatory in most

• More meaningful Community Service that are project oriented

• Oral/Written Apologies to victims• Essays on the crime, offense or

violation(s) they were referred to youth court for

• Jury Duty in Youth Court• Educational Workshops on laws

and consequences

• Restitution• Alcohol/Drug Assessment – not

treatment, as those cases should not be handled in youth court unless no other sanction/service exists.

• Curfew• Tutoring• Victim Awareness Class or Panel• Drug Testing• Peer Mediation

• Youth volunteers serve in the roles of:◦ Defense Attorneys◦ Prosecuting Attorneys◦ Clerks◦ Bailiffs◦ Jurors

• Adult volunteer serves in the role of:◦ Judge

• Youth volunteers serve in the role of:◦ Judge ◦ Prosecuting Attorneys◦ Defense Attorneys◦ Clerks◦ Bailiffs◦ Jurors

• Youth volunteers serve in the roles of:◦ Judge(s)◦ Defense Attorneys◦ Prosecuting Attorneys◦ Clerks◦ Bailiffs

• There is NO PEER JURY

• Youth volunteers serve as jurors and question the defendant directly

• Some programs use youth and community advocates

Serves as an information clearinghouse for information on youth courts

Provides training and technical assistance

Develops and provides resources and publications

Website: www.youthcourt.net

In 2009 the Stoneleigh Foundation funded a three year fellowship to develop youth courts in Chester City and nurture a statewide youth court movement. Stoneleigh extended the funded of Gregg Volz for 8 more months in December 2011—see http://stoneleighfoundation.org for numerous court resources.

PCCD funded a two-year truancy prevention youth court initiative in York.The Pennsylvania Bar Association passed a resolution supporting the establishment of a statewide youth court association in May 2011. See http://www.pabar.org/public/committees/childavo/basedyouthcourt.asp

David Keller Trevaskis, Esquire

Pro Bono CoordinatorPennsylvania Bar Association

100 South StreetHarrisburg, PA 17101

800-932-0311, Ext. 2236

david.trevaskis@pabar.org