ABA Meets in Atlanta in February, Targets Juvenile Court Issues

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When the American Bar Association meets in Atlanta the hot topics will include restorative justice and alternatives to detention for kids.  The Midyear meeting runs February 9 – 14 at the Marriott Marquis. One event takes place at Frank McClarin High School in College Park, where judges and lawyers will talk to 300 high school students about fair and impartial courts. They’ll use the assault charge against MTV’s Teen Mom to launch the discussion. Sharon Hill of Georgia Appleseed and Judge Steve Teske from Clayton County Juvenile Court will talk about new initiatives to keep kids in school and out of court. The ABA will consider two resolutions related to at-risk kids.

Restorative Justice at Work

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Teen lawbreakers are benefiting from a restorative justice program, required by law in Northern Ireland.  Dr. Graham Ellison, a criminologist, told Here and Now on Public Radio International how the program is working. Courts in Northern Ireland must provide kids with a restorative justice option through the Youth Conferencing Service as an alternative to prison, Dr. Ellison explained. According to the Youth Conferencing Service, kids meet with their victims, make amends and get any treatment they need. A teen graduate of the program, who stole a car, spoke to the BBC about meeting his victim. "All she done was cry, and talked about how she doesn't feel safe in her home," he said.

Mom forgives her daughter’s killer

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The mother of a murder victim delivers a powerful message about restorative justice in The Washington Post. Linda White lost her daughter in a murder that made headlines in Texas back in 1986.  Two 15 year old boys kidnapped, raped and killed Cathy White when she stopped to help them with car trouble. Last month, after 23 years behind bars, one of the killers was released from prison. While most parents of murder victims would be consumed with anger, Linda is not.  Ten years ago she met Gary Brown and befriended the man responsible for her daughter’s death.  Linda White writes about her journey and her belief that “young people, even those who have done horrible things, can be transformed.”

The case is also profiled in a book called Don’t Kill in Our Names, by Rachel King.