Attorney Volunteer Information
ATTORNEY VOLUNTEER
ATTORNEY VOLUNTEER
How do I qualify to be a Youth Court Attorney?
How do I qualify to be a Youth Court Attorney?
What does an attorney volunteer do?
What does an attorney volunteer do?
A student who may qualify to become involved as an attorney must:
A student who may qualify to become involved as an attorney must:
Apply to join the volunteer attorney program, by filling out an application provided through your school or School Resource Officer. Bring that application, signed by your parent, with you to the first night of training. You are registered to receive training with the completed application.
You must be in the 8th grade or higher and at least 13 years old.
You must have and maintain a "C" average or higher.
You must have good school attendance and no discipline violations.
Attend the training program which takes place from the last of September to the end of November.
Finally, you must pass the written bar exam and be sworn in as an attorney at the graduation ceremony.
What does a Volunteer Attorney do?
What does a Volunteer Attorney do?
Cases referred to Eastern Jackson County Youth Court come from the eight participating police agencies which include the Blue Springs Department of Public Safety, Buckner Police Department, Grain Valley Police Department, Greenwood Police Department, Lone Jack Police Department, Oak Grove Police Department, Sugar Creek Police Department, and the Jackson County Sheriff's Office. These are real cases that involve juveniles currently up to the age of 18. The offenses may include assault, disorderly conduct, stealing, trespassing, vaping/smoking, drug offenses, and other criminal situations. Since they are real cases but involve juveniles they may be handled through the Eastern Jackson County Youth Court diversion process to avoid the juvenile having a permanent record in Jackson County Family Court.
Cases referred to Eastern Jackson County Youth Court come from the eight participating police agencies which include the Blue Springs Department of Public Safety, Buckner Police Department, Grain Valley Police Department, Greenwood Police Department, Lone Jack Police Department, Oak Grove Police Department, Sugar Creek Police Department, and the Jackson County Sheriff's Office. These are real cases that involve juveniles currently up to the age of 18. The offenses may include assault, disorderly conduct, stealing, trespassing, vaping/smoking, drug offenses, and other criminal situations. Since they are real cases but involve juveniles they may be handled through the Eastern Jackson County Youth Court diversion process to avoid the juvenile having a permanent record in Jackson County Family Court.
Youth Court is modeled after the adult court. It gives the juvenile a feeling of what it is like to be represented in court by a Defense Attorney, prosecuted by a Prosecuting Attorney, and before a Juvenile Judge, Only the defendant, and their parents are allowed in the courtroom for their case. We promise to keep all juvenile cases confidential. No attorney is allowed EVER to speak of cases that come through Youth Court with anyone outside of Youth Court at any time.
Youth Court is modeled after the adult court. It gives the juvenile a feeling of what it is like to be represented in court by a Defense Attorney, prosecuted by a Prosecuting Attorney, and before a Juvenile Judge, Only the defendant, and their parents are allowed in the courtroom for their case. We promise to keep all juvenile cases confidential. No attorney is allowed EVER to speak of cases that come through Youth Court with anyone outside of Youth Court at any time.
The juvenile defendant(offender) is given a court sentence (sanction) of community service hours and usually an educational program to attend. Should the defendant request a trial (wishes to plead "Not Guilty") then a trial will take place, with witnesses for both defense and prosecution in the courtroom to testify about their case. Only when the defendant has completed their sentence and turns the age of 18 can their file then be destroyed and expunged.
The juvenile defendant(offender) is given a court sentence (sanction) of community service hours and usually an educational program to attend. Should the defendant request a trial (wishes to plead "Not Guilty") then a trial will take place, with witnesses for both defense and prosecution in the courtroom to testify about their case. Only when the defendant has completed their sentence and turns the age of 18 can their file then be destroyed and expunged.
As a Volunteer Attorney, you will be trained in the responsibilities of participating as a Bailiff, Court Clerk, Prosecution, and Defense Attorney. Upon becoming a Senior, you will receive further training, to serve as a Youth Court Judge. The attorney training itself is conducted by Judge Susan Watkins, Executive Director along with Adult Attorneys and Law Enforcement Officers.
As a Volunteer Attorney, you will be trained in the responsibilities of participating as a Bailiff, Court Clerk, Prosecution, and Defense Attorney. Upon becoming a Senior, you will receive further training, to serve as a Youth Court Judge. The attorney training itself is conducted by Judge Susan Watkins, Executive Director along with Adult Attorneys and Law Enforcement Officers.
Youth Court sessions takes place on the first Thursday of each month year round. You will be expected to arrive by 5:00 pm to prepare for court. You will be assigned a position in the courtroom based on the Executive Directors instructions. If a trial is to take place it is put on the next court docket and you will receive guidance from an actual adult Attorney as to how to proceed in the courtroom. The court sessions are usually over anytime between 7:00 and 9:00 p.m. We will try to let you know a more specific time based on the size of that night's docket, so you can notify your parents when to pick you up.
Youth Court sessions takes place on the first Thursday of each month year round. You will be expected to arrive by 5:00 pm to prepare for court. You will be assigned a position in the courtroom based on the Executive Directors instructions. If a trial is to take place it is put on the next court docket and you will receive guidance from an actual adult Attorney as to how to proceed in the courtroom. The court sessions are usually over anytime between 7:00 and 9:00 p.m. We will try to let you know a more specific time based on the size of that night's docket, so you can notify your parents when to pick you up.
The Youth Court Board of Directors has established a Youth Court Scholarship Fund for college. We have given many scholarships to Volunteer Attorneys who have served in the Program. This involves Senior volunteers completing an application with a resume and essay and turning it in to the Youth Court office by the due date. The Board of Director's Scholarship Committee will determine the number and amount of all scholarship awards. One factor considered will be the number of hours of service as a Youth court volunteer attorney.
The Youth Court Board of Directors has established a Youth Court Scholarship Fund for college. We have given many scholarships to Volunteer Attorneys who have served in the Program. This involves Senior volunteers completing an application with a resume and essay and turning it in to the Youth Court office by the due date. The Board of Director's Scholarship Committee will determine the number and amount of all scholarship awards. One factor considered will be the number of hours of service as a Youth court volunteer attorney.
I hope this answers some questions about our Attorney Volunteers. If you have more specific questions before making your decision to apply for training, please email the Youth Court office at ejcyc@bssd.net or call 816-874-3343.
I hope this answers some questions about our Attorney Volunteers. If you have more specific questions before making your decision to apply for training, please email the Youth Court office at ejcyc@bssd.net or call 816-874-3343.
We need student volunteers to operate the peer court program and hope to see you at Training!
We need student volunteers to operate the peer court program and hope to see you at Training!
Judge Watkins, Executive Director
Judge Watkins, Executive Director
Eastern Jackson County Youth Court
Eastern Jackson County Youth Court
