JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM OF VERMONT

The System Today  In 1990s, a system of family courts was instituted in Vermont. This was the result of an act passed by the Vermont Legislature in its 1990 session.  All juvenile matters that were heard by the court, sitting as a juvenile court, are now heard by the family court.

The System Today  In 2002, they adopted what is called the “balanced and restorative justice model for youth offenders.”  This model involves the victim and the community with the youth and justice professionals in the process of devising a reparative response to the offense.  They believe that the American Youth Policy Forum demonstrates that trying youth offenders in adult courts increases criminality.

The System Today  Presently in Vermont sixteen- and seventeen-year-olds accused of certain crimes are charged in the adult system.  It is up to the state’s attorneys to request that the youth be transferred to the juvenile system.  Not only does this put pressure on overworked states’ attorneys, it increases the risk of the youth falling through the cracks, ending up in the adult system, and staying there.

The System Today  Vermont’s system of juvenile justice received a boost from the federal government in the late 1990s and 2000s.  The funding was used, among other things, to implement the restorative justice model providing alternatives to detention, competency training, and restitution programs.

Case 

Case  Name: Paul Winnowski  Charge: Simple Assault  Paul stated that his life was already going downhill in grade school, as he was smoking pot and drinking on a regular basis.  Instead of incarcerating Paul, Barre District Court decided to send him to a group home in Bennington, Vermont, where he would receive counseling.  Judy Brassard, a social worker who took Paul’s case, believed most states would have shown little/no discretion for Paul’s case.

Now for the Grade!  Restorativejustice.org proclaimed the State of Vermont as “the nation’s oldest and most mature restorative juvenile justice system.”  Based on my research, I believe the State of Vermont has the most effective juvenile diversion programs in the nation. Instead of incarcerating juveniles, the state believes in effective treatment to help delinquents back in the community, treatment that will never be found in adult prisons.

Now for the Grade!  Community service, educational programs, group homes, and counseling are always available for juvenile offenders, because it is more important to restore ties with the community than it is to enforce punishment, a tactic that will no good to a juvenile.  In my opinion, I could not find any downfalls to Vermont’s juvenile justice system. I believe it is fair, effective, and shows more concern for the community and the individual than most court systems.

A+

MUST SEE!!! 

References   Richard A. Mendel, “Less Hype, More Help, Reducing Juvenile Crime, What Works—And What Doesn’t,” American Youth Policy Forum, Child Welfare League of America, Coalition for Juvenile Justice, National Collaboration for Youth, National Crime Prevention Council, National League of Cities, and National Urban League, June   