Archive for May, 2010

Interbranch Commission Releases Report

The Interbranch Commission released its long awaited report and recommendations on the Juvenile Justice System in PA today. Children’s News will react to the report in the following weeks on this blog.  In the meantime, read media coverage of the report:

On tomorrow’s Radio Times (WHYY 91 FM), Commission Chair Judge John M. Cleland, senior judge of Pennsylvania Superior Court,  and Marsha Levick, Esq., Deputy Director, Chief Counsel and co-founder of Philadelphia’s Juvenile Law Center, and one of two lawyers who discovered and blew the whistle on the judicial corruption in Luzerne County, will discuss the report.

Advocacy Alliance & Partners Set Up Confidential, Therapeutic Forums for Youth and Families

Many dedicated organizations have been working tirelessly to help the Luzerne County community recover from the juvenile justice scandal and to make the much-needed changes to prevent such devastation from happening again anywhere in the Commonwealth.  Starting at the end of May, the Advocacy Alliance will hold confidential, therapeutic support groups in Luzerne County for youth and families disaffected by the Luzerne County juvenile justice scandal. There will be one for parents/guardians and one for older adolescents and young adults.  Anyone interested in attending the support groups can get further information by calling the toll-free Juvenile Justice Support Line 1-888-558-3203.

Radio Smart Talk Covers PA Juvenile Justice Responsibilities to Children, Victims, and Community

On May 17, Radio Smart Talk, a live radio program out of Harrisburg, PA focused on juvenile justice. The show featured Cumberland County Court of Common Pleas Judge Kevin Hess, who tries juveniles, and Cumberland County Deputy Public Defender Ron Turo, who defends them.

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Juvenile Law Center Submits Final Recommendations to Interbranch Commission

Juvenile Law Center has offered a set of detailed recommendations to the Interbranch Commission on Juvenile Justice in its report Lessons from Luzerne County: Promoting Fairness, Transparency, and Accountability.

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Prosecutors Unveil New Rules for Youths in Court

Yesterday, the Pennsylvania District Attorney’s Association issued new standards for prosecutors handling juvenile cases, a direct result of the Luzerne County scandal.

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