... providing Alaskan communities training and resources

for the fair, effective, and efficient adjudication of

juvenile offenders

Annual Report2003 -2004

AU Y C

Ketchikan

Wrangell

Juneau

Fairbanks(North Star)

DeltaJunction

Nome

Mat-SuAnchorage Valdez

Kenai Peninsula(Homer & Valdez)

�Kodiak

Anchorage Elias Wilterding, President , Sharon LeonDelta Junction Katrina Veccharelli, Mary St. PeterJuneau Tim Davin, Treasurer, William HortonKenai / Homer Whitnery Cushing, Vice President, Rita KnorrKetchikan Kenny Pearson, Secretary, Gretchen KleinKodiak Devin Boyer, Jim NaganMat - Su Heather Sheldon, Lisa Albert-KoneckyNome Jessica Ford, Karne MusichNorth Star David Charron, Wendy LeachSitka Zena Merculief, J.W. RampValdez Melissa McCumby, Kelly WalkerWrangell Ivan Fairbanks, Diane Ivy Dahlin

UYCA Board of Directors

Youth provide high-level organizational guidance by filling half the seats and serving as the executive officers of the UYCA Board of Directors.(Italics designate youth members.)

Cover: Blaise Campbell, teen from the North Star Youth Court, receives an engraved gavel as "Attorney of the Year." August 2004

"I learned how courts work, the process of payback to the community, and what I did was wrong." defendent, Mat-Su Youth Court

The 2003-2004 year at the United Youth Courts of Alaska was a great step in expanding our services to a greater extent than ever reached before. The mission of the United Youth Courts of Alaska is to partner with both Alaskan communities and the juvenile justice system to develop and sustain Alaska's community diversion panels to provide for the fair, effective, and efficient adjudication of juvenile delinquency cases.

One of the key highlights of the last year was the support and recognition Alaska's youth courts received from the State Legislature. With the introduction of House bill 303 (an educational effort that was spearheaded by teenage volunteers) the idea of directly appropriating funds from the legislature for youth court programs each year was born. Many legislators realized the positive benefits that the members of the United Youth Courts of Alaska provided the state justice system, which include vastly lower recidivism rates and more cost effective practices. The advocacy activities of the United Youth Courts of Alaska youth-led political action group, The Alaska Youth Court Sustainability Coalition will continue in this upcoming session.

The 7th Annual State Youth Court Conference in Anchorage, Alaska was a wonderful experience for the almost 200 Alaska teens that attended. The overwhelming support provided by the Anchorage Youth Court and local businesses made the conference quite a success. According to a youth member of the North Star Youth Court in Fairbanks the conference was " an awesome opportunity to connect with other individuals that share the passion for service to one's community".

A very popular activity at the conference was tours of many facilities around Anchorage, including the FBI offices, the Anchorage Police Dept., and Alaska Courts system among others. An Open Space forum by the participants at the conference has helped set our organization's agenda for the next year.

The United Youth Courts of Alaska was also proud to bring on a new member of our "team". Joseph Ehrheart accepted the position of Executive Director to replace our former director Krista Scully this last spring. Mr. Ehrheart has a background in grant administration and criminal justice, making him an invaluable asset to UYCA.

My agenda for the next year will bring a greater increase in mission-oriented operations that are going to be commenced with the assistance of the UYCA Board of Directors. Among the possibilities is a statewide Student Bar Association for youth volunteers of Alaska, Youth Courts, and a large increase in technical assistance to growing programs.

Yours,David CharronPresident/CEO

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Letter from the President

The Faces of Justice

United Youth Courts of Alaska

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As the new Executive Director of United Youth Courts of Alaska (UYCA), it has been my privilege to work for such a worthwhile organization. UYCA provides technical assistance and resources to communities throughout the state of Alaska that are interested in implementing forms of alternative justice. Whether it is youth courts, elders' courts, tribal courts or peace making circles there is a common link to them, youth!

Although oil, gold and salmon are the major contributors to this states economic dependence, the Youth of Alaska is our biggest resource. We must devote our time, experience and funding to invest not only in their future but the State of Alaska's.

Letter from the Executive Director

When Alaska communities decide to tackle youth crime - especially the less severe cases that aren't handled by the formal juvenile justice system - they turn to UYCA for training, resources and support. Beginning in 1998, UYCA has worked with Alaska communities and the Division of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) to:

· Improve existing youth courts through technical assistance · Increase communication between all youth courts within the state · Help Alaskan communities form new youth courts

The need for a centralized source of youth court expertise led to the creation of the UYCA. Since its foundation, the non-profit corporation has helped over 1,000 youth volunteers in 11 communities to respond to the delinquency of over 10% of all youth offenders in Alaska.

Because the population and culture of Alaskan communities varies, youth courts take many forms: youth - led and adult - advised courts, mediation programs, and youth peacemeaking circles. This diversity leads to exciting innovations in handling youth offenses, building communities, and even repairing the damage done to victims. While volunteers gain leadership skills, youth offenders learn that their actions have consequences - consequences that can range from writing an apology letter to fulfilling community service or paying a fee. The result? Many communities with youth courts consistently see a 6 -9 % of lower recidivism rate among youth offenders.

What is the Youth Court? Members of the Ketchikan Youth Court

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In Alaska, each youth court is led and staffed by youth. Youth fill the roles of prosecuting and defense attorneys, judges, bailiffs, and clerks and through their day-to-day volunteer commitment, keep the program running.

Located across the state map and in communities of all sizes and types, Alaska youth courts share their focus on meeting the critical need for youth adjudication and community building. While some youth courts provide mediation or circle peacemaking, others hold court and advise sanctions for misdemeanor offenses. Common offenses include theft, underage consumption of alcohol, criminal mischief, and assault.

The following pages will introduce you to Alaska's 11 member youth courts and two associate members - each of which is active, well trained, and dedicated to improving the youth justice system around the state.

Programs

Our mission is Juvenile Justice for Youth by Youth.

Anchorage Youth Court is an organized and effective juvenile justice system. It provides Anchorage youth with opportunities for personal growth and an understanding of our legal system.

Anchorage Youth Court gives youth offenders personal accountability, youth attorneys good training and the opportunity to make a significant difference in others’ lives and the public an effective and comprehensive public safety system.

Anchorage Youth Court

VISTA volunteer Tracy Arce for Big Brothers Big Sisters is pictured accepting the check for

Ketchikan Youth Court from Fraternal Order of the State Troopers.

"I just want tolet you guys know that I have learned my lesson, I hope never to have to go through this process again. Going to court scared me because I had to sit and watch my Mom go through all this same stuff.Thank you for listening."

Kenai Penisula offender

Defendents: 487Student Vounteers: 359Adult Attorney Vounteers: 93Average Time Refferal to Hearing: 11 days Average Time Refferal to Case Completion: 88 daysRestitution Paid: $,6,722Community Work Service: 11,988 hours

United Youth Courts of Alaska

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Delta Junction Youth CourtYouth courts present peer pressure in a positive manner, peer role models are often the key to young people buying into the justice system feeling that they actually receive justice by being judged by their peers. Delta Youth Court worked in coordination with Delta High School, the District Court, Hope Counseling, and Alaska State Troopers along with Fairbanks MADD to host a day long series of underage drinking and positive prevention ideas that included several 25 minute long seminars with local troopers, the local magistrate, and a substance and alcohol abuse counselor. DYC can be a great prevention tool because it deals with first time, misdemeanor offenders, requiring teens to take responsibility for actions before they become more serious and habitual.

Referrals: 7 from District Court (All Minors In PossesssionSuccessful Completion through DYC: 4Remanded to District Court for failure to comply with DYC sentence mandates in a timely manner: 3Community Work Service: 20 hoursCommunity Service: 2500 hours from both volunteers and youth offenders

Juneau Youth CourtAbout 20 volunteers from grades eight through 12 serve on the Juneau Youth Court, which handled 40 cases this past fiscal year. In keeping with the goals of restorative justice JYC has provided effective diversion services to first and second offenders aged 12-16.

Total Cases: 55 Volunteer Service: 250 hours to the court Community Service: 350 hours

Kenai Peninsula/ Homer Youth CourtThis was the busiest year ever in the 8 year history of KPYC, with 146 total cases referred to its program. These include misdemeanor referrals from the Homer and Kenai offices of the Division of Juvenile Justice, as well as underage drinking cases referred by the District Courts in Kenai and Homer. KPYC also made great progress in catching up on compliance checks, made possible by the addition of a new office assistant in Kenai.

Community work ordered: 2662 hoursServed: 2535 hours or/95.23%Actively involved: 121New clients referred: 146 Served: 143First time offenders: 125Alcohol Related Cases: 102

Students of North Star Youth Court practice presenting sentencing recommendations as part of the twenty hour training class.

Annual Report 2003 - 2004

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"In my whole life I've never even been into the principal's office , let alone stood in front of a judge. That night was terrible. I have terrible memories from it, and I don't think I'll ever forget it. At the same time I don't think I'll ever forget the lessons I learned from it." Kenai Penisula offenderKetchikan Youth Court

Ketchikan Youth Court enables young people (ages 12 to 18) who are accused of breaking the law to be judged by their peers, instead of an elected judge or magistrate. In this court, students in grades 6 through 12 serve as the attorneys, judges, bailiffs, clerks and jurors. All Ketchikan Youth Court participants complete a legal training course that teaches the basic principals and practice of the law and court procedures. Before practicing, students must pass the Ketchikan Youth Court Bar Exam.

Through this process, defendants are given the opportunity via a trial to resolve their legal problems without receiving a criminal record. Plus, the community benefits by receiving valuable work service as a partial redress for the wrongs committed.

Referrals: 37First time offenders: 35Alcohol Related Cases: 26Victims Contacted: 11Cases heard by court: 36Community Work Service Recommended: 656 hoursCommunity Work Service Completed: 498 hoursCases Referred to Substance Abuse Assessment: 15Cases Completed: 14Youth Received Court Training: 19Youth Passed Youth Court Bar Exam: 8Actively Involved :130

Wendy Leach, North Star Youth Court director and Michaela Perez at the NSYC Annual

Awards Picnic photo courtesy of NSYC

so and so and so and so from MSYC photo courtest of So and So

"I learned how courts work, the process of pay-back to the community, and what I did was wrong." Mat-Su offender

United Youth Courts of Alaska

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Kodiak Teen Court

MSYC Prgram Coordinator Lisa Albert - Konecky, Senator Ted Stevens and student intern Meaghan Whatley meet in Washington, DC to encourage

funding of Youth Courts in Alaska photo courtesy of Lisa Albert-Konecky

Kodiak Teen Court completed it's ninth year of operation and is proud of the results. Fifty three students were active in Court activities during the year. That includes 18 youth who graduated from the Introduction to Law/Teen Class offered first semester. Again this year, Kodiak Teen Court heard misdemeanor cases referred through Juvenile Probation. For the third year, Kodiak Teen Court heard a number of Minor in Possession/Consuming Alcohol cases involving defendants age 16 and younger referred from the Court System for sentencing. Restorative justice results included defendants completing 387 hours of Community Work Service. Our Program is proud of our close supportive relationship with the local court system, public safety departments, attorneys, school district, city and borough government, and the community.

Youth actively involved : 178New clients referred: 43Served: 43First time offenders: 40Community Service Reccommended: 638 hours Community Service Completed: 387 hours (some still active)Alcohol Related Cases: 36

Mat-Su Youth CourtThe mission of the Mat-Su Youth Court is to provide the Mat-Su Community with a diversion program for juvenile offenders that promote accountability, restorative justice, and education through early intervention. The Mat-Su Youth Court (MSYC) is a state-sanctioned court that operates in the Matanuska-Susitna Valley, Alaska, which deals with first-time juvenile offenders that have committed misdemeanors.

Number of cases processed: 165Number of cases completed: 100Percentage of defendants who have not reoffended: 93% Restitution collected for victims: $1,358.97Community Service: 3,152 hoursVolunteer Community Work Service by MSYC student members: 3,774 hours

"I learned that stealing is really, really, wrong." Mat-Su offender

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"What I learned from my youth court experience is to walk away from a fight or talk it outinstead of fighting." Mat-Su offender

Nome Youth CourtNome Youth Court works with the Nome Police Department, District Attorney's Office and Juvenile Probation to address crime activities committed by juvenile offenders aged 11 to 17. Our goal is to reduce juvenile crime and provide for peer-imposed sanctions, which will restore justice within the community.

North Star Youth CourtThe North Star Youth Court plays an integral role in the administration of juvenile justice in the greater Fairbanks community. Youth Court and Victim Offender Mediation serve as diversion programs from the formal juvenile justice system for juvenile offenders. Their primary goals are to facilitate active participation by victims, offenders, and their community and to reduce the recidivism rate of offenders through a more immediate and direct response to juvenile crime. Youth serve as the primary court personnel and mediators in the respective programs. This organization allows students to gain practical knowledge about laws and the legal system, victim offender mediation, and to practice skills which promote community involvement and leadership. North Star Youth Court utilizes positive peer pressure to encourage personal accountability and responsibility among youth.

Valdez Youth CourtThe overall goal of this program is to provide an accountability-based alternative to the juvenile justice system to rehabilitate first time juvenile offenders who commit misdemeanor crimes while teaching them to be responsible for their actions before long-term patterns of problematic behavior are established.

Referrals: 23Referrals from Youth Corrections: 11Referral from Trial Courts: 12Community Work Service: Defendants: 248 hours Volunteers: 150 hours

Clients Served: 91Clients Served Through Mediation: 18Recidivism Rate (January 2003 - June 2003) : 7%Community Work Service by defendents: 1313 hoursRestitution Collected: $1780Youth Reffered for Substance Abuse, Counseling, and/or Smoking Cessation: 15

Referrals: 19Alcohol Related Cases: 14Community Work Service Ordered: 471 hoursCommunity Work Service Completed: 246Apology Letters Sent To Victims: 7Referred to alternative treatment: 5Youth attending training to serve on court: 16Youth Volunteers: 40

MSYC members, Heather Sheldon and brother Thor, paint the Boys and Girls club gym as part

of National Youth Service Day

United Youth Courts of Alaska

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Community Involvement

From small towns miles from the nearest road to Alaska's largest cities, dedicated justice workers, parents, educators, and business owners listen to their communities and then share their knowledge and time to solve their problems.

The United Youth Courts of Alaska is proud to announce its recent move to a new home at 1029 West Third Avenue, Suite 300, Anchorage, AK 99501. The law firm of Perkins Coie has generously donated the space. Perkins Coie, an international law firm, was recently named again to Fortune Magazine's list of Top 100 Companies to Work for In America. Upon learning of the newly donated space, United Youth Courts of Alaska President, Whitney Cushing, stated, "During times of deep budget concerns, the United Youth Courts of Alaska is deeply appreciative of Perkins Coie's support of this organization and the mission of youth courts statewide. This contribution strongly demonstrates their support in promoting restorative juvenile justice in Alaska."

While local fundraising supports special events, the daily work of UYCA and our 11 member courts rely soley on the generosity of our grantors and donors. We are honored that our Grantor, the State of Alaska Department of Juvenile Justice, has financially supported UYCA since its inception and sees the impact youth courts are having on the state of Alaska. As for our donors, we are truly grateful. Your generous donations illustrate the desire to make a difference.

According to a Department of Justice study, there are over 950 youth courts now operating in 48 of the 50 states and the District of Columbia, representing a 1,500% growth rate in eight years. In addition there are 537 additional communities in various operational stages of implementing youth courts.

The tremendous growth seen at the national level is a strong indicator that youth courts are an effective tool in dealing with juvenile justice. If you are interested in joining this effort and making a impact in your community, please join us.

While formal youth court members, like those previously listed, must meet both State of Alaska and/or the UYCA guidelines for membership, associate members operate in a more informal manner. Often community service organizations, they too support UYCA and its mission and are interested in making a difference.

UYCA also works with other organizations in the community to develop prospecitive new associate members. Potential associate members could be in the early phases of formation, so they benefit for UYCA's support and networking capabilities. If you are interested in becoming an Associate Member please contact UYCA.

Potential Members

Associate Members

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Donors in the Community

2003 Financials

Budget Need

offer additional services to youth courts, youth volunteers, and all who make youth courts a vital tool in addressing juvenile delinquency. With a full operating budget, UYCA will be able to offer the following: · Improved technical and networking support · Training for all participants including Grant Writing, Achieving Sustainability, Legal Responsibilities, etc. · Full time Director to ensure program compliance and that all mission objectives are being met while achieving financial stability and sustainability for all member courts. · Host teleconferences for Directors to discuss programmatic issues. · Resource materials for communities looking to start a youth court. · Resources for established courts. · Yearly state wide youth court conference to bring all courts together for hands on training and a chance to network.

Perkins Coie, Mamasahn Design, Downtown Legal Copies, First National Bank of Alaska, Mark Begich, Fred Meyer Foundation, Women Police of Alaska, United Way of Alaska, Boys and Girls Club of Anchorage, Chris Herberger

Administration$11,535

Programs$24,460

Grants$11, 535

CorporateDonors$9,963

ConferenceFees$8,697

Membership$5,800

Income Expenses

With decreasing revenue statewide, funding for programs such as youth courts will be very limited. UYCA will seek additional funding through various means including but not limited to grants and corporate donors. With a full operating budget, UYCA will be able to

Uni

ted Youth Courts

of Alaska

The Fa

ces of Justice

United Youth Courts of Alaska1029 W 3rd Ave. Suite 300Anchorage, Alaska 99501

For more information on how you can support UYCA through funding, membership, or by volunteering, call 907-263 6936

FAX: 907276-3108EMAIL: uyca@alaska.net www.alaskayouthcourt.org

Special Thanks to the Alaska Department of Health and Socal Services, Division of Juvenile Justice and Downtown Legal Copies