Saturday, September 25, 2010

2010 Judicial Teleconference on Youth Voice in Court



Agenda:

  • Introduction of Topic and Panel Members
  • Magistrate shared the history of youth involvement in court and how this plays out in practice
  • Foster Care Alumni Panel
  • Questions from the audience


Youth Panel Questions:


  1. Please tell us a little bit about your experience in foster care…
  2. Were you able to attend one/more court hearings? If so was it helpful? Were you prepared ahead of time?
  3. If not, what was it like not knowing what goes on in court? What information about your case did you want the judge/magistrate to know?
  4. How is hearing from youth in person different from hearing from their CASA or caseworker?
  5. What would you tell a judge or magistrate who was on the fence about including youth in hearings?

Additional Questions:

a.) Are all hearings equal, or are some hearings more important than others? (i.e. placement decision/change in case/general review with no change)

b.) Should they make exceptions based upon:

  • The child’s age?
  • What a young person wants?
  • If they think the child/teen isn’t emotionally ready?
  • If the logistics are inconvenient? (long drive for adult/long wait for child)
  • Whether or not the court is kid-friendly? (or teen-friendly)

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