Teens Ready to "Call Order in the Courtroom"

Middle and high school students graduated from Yorktown’s Youth Court training program Monday night, and they will soon take on real-life court cases prosecuting other teens.

During an 8 to 10-week training program by Alliance for Safe Kids, the 19 students tried on a series of different hats—including judge, defense attorney, and prosecutor—and were required to act out a proceeding. They will now be prepared to use their personal skills, and see what it feels like to bang a gavel as they call order to the courtroom.

“[The volunteer program] is teaching leadership, confidence and a chance to do something these kids have never known how to do before,” Youth Court advisory board member Sherri Hughes said.

The young professionals will be putting into action what they've learned as they deal with children under the age of 16 who have been found guilty of first-time misdemeanors or violations, Youth Court director Art Lander said.

The Yorktown Youth Court was established in 2007. It was developed as an effort to steer teens who have committed crimes like disorderly conduct, trespassing, or petit larceny in the right direction at an early age, officials said.

The Westchester County Department of Probation and the Yorktown Police Department will be deciding in collaboration which local cases, that come through the system, would be best suited for the aspiring law enforcers to deal with.

“I’m interested in becoming a lawyer, so it’s interesting to see how everything works—[the organizers] covered all the basics,” said Chris Cappa, Yorktown High School freshman.

Court situations could be handed over to the Youth Court graduates once a week on a rotating basis—giving everyone a fair chance.  

Youth Court graduate Cameron Cushner said the Yorktown Police Department officials have provided them with more in-depth information about the process than just simple textbook terms and facts.

“We learned about what counts as evidence [in a hearing] and about forensics,” he said.

Training is held periodically throughout the year and applicants are accepted year-round. The key goals that volunteer members are taught are respecting the rights of peers, enhanced civic knowledge, responsibility and confidentiality.

Cushner and his fellow volunteers, also performed a mock arraignment for the friends and family who came out for the presentation of certificates last night. Students come from North Salem, Mahopac, Yorktown and Lakeland high schools.

The portrayal of the crime scenario was treated with the same importance as if it was the main event. The students appeared cool and collected as they talked in front of the audience. 

“I’ve gotten a lot more comfortable with public speaking,” Cappa said.

Local officials in attendance of the graduation were Yorktown supervisor Susan Seigel; President of A.S.K, Tricy Cushner; and County Legislator Mike Kaplowitz. Town justices Salvatore Lagonia and Ilan Gilbert were also there to offer encouragement to the teens.

“I want you to be as proud of the law as I am,” Lagonia told the students.

Yorktown Youth Court is a program developed and directed by the Alliance for Safe Kids. P.O. Box 106, Yorktown Heights, NY 10598. For more information, call 914-736-1450.