FCYU-Feature Story

Interview with Youth Justice Board

* At Youth Justice Board's request, all members' names have been changed. For more information on the Youth Justice Board, email yjb@courtinnovation.org

Getting Informed

Typically, I would get to family court around 9:00, and I wouldn't leave till 4:00 or 5:00. I would just sit in the waiting room for hours, waiting for them to call my name.

A few months ago I decided to join the Youth Justice Board because I felt I could relate.

I haven't always been a goodie two-shoes. About two or three years ago if you would tell me anything about the court system, I really wouldn't want hear it. But after joining Youth Justice Board, I've become more informed about the system and how it works. I think that youth should have more say in court, because the cases are affecting us.

—Darren*

Stuck on Stupid

Since I turned 18, I've been to court twice. I only saw my law guardian those two times. I tried to call her, but she never picked up the phone. I don't even know what my ACS worker looks like.

If you have a question, you've got to go through the handbook, you have to find out things on your own. If you don't know anything about your case, how can you give that information to your law guardian? How do you voice your opinion if you don't know what's going on? You're stuck on stupid.

—Dawn*

Losing My Mom

One time I wished I hadn't gone to court was when my mother lost her parental rights. She was looking at me and I had to walk out and realize that I couldn't see her anymore. She just lost all her rights over me.

My mother's reaction was the part that hurt the most, cause her face just dropped. I think it would have been so much better if I hadn't seen her face. It still would have hurt, but not as much.

—Dawn*

Long and Annoying

There are some things you'd rather not know. Like when I found out my mother gave up her parental rights. They weren't taken away, she gave them up.

But most of the time when I was in care, I wanted to be inside the courtroom. My law guardian wouldn't let me. I go to court every six months to meet with my lawyer. I stay all day and we talk for like five minutes. It's very long and annoying and I don't even have a Game Boy.

—Mark*

Court Memories

I remember going to family court when I was younger. They would bring me to this place that was like a daycare. My little brother and I would play with the fish and one of those play kitchens and there were other kids there, too. When court was all done, our foster parents would pick us up and we would go home.

—Manny

The Judge Doesn't Understand

I first went to family court when I was put in care five years ago. Now I have a case open for my own daughter. It's very upsetting. I've been trying to do well in school and I've been trying to get myself together, but it's hard. The judge is always on ACS's side, and never on mine. I don't understand what I did. I just feel that, with the judge, it's always my fault because I'm a teen mother. Every time I go to court, I always cry.

I don't think the judge understands how a youth feels to have her child taken away. I wrote her a letter a long time ago, asking her to get me out of the system and put me back with my family, and she never wrote back. If the judge let me have a voice to speak in court I think she might understand me, but she never does. Sometimes lawyers, they make things up for you. They say things we don't want them to say.

—Joanne*