Queens Defenders holds youth justice courts in three Rockaway Schools. Our team works with teachers and administrators to prevent school suspensions. When a student violates the school’s code of conduct, they are referred to YJC where their peers carry out a trial. When the jury finds the student guilty, it hands down a consequence, which often includes an apology letter to teachers and classmates, helping teachers during lunchtime, or sitting on the jury for the next session of YJC. Most often, students referred to YJC later become consistent participants in future trials.

Queens Defenders facilitates Youth Justice Courts at its Justice Centers in Far Rockaway and Jamaica, where youth who commit low-level crimes are referred by local precincts. This referral occurs in place of being charged and sent to criminal or family court.

High school students interested in law and justice issues play an important role in the YJC. In each YJC hearing, participants can make meaningful differences in the lives of peers who committed the offense, the people who were directly hurt by that offense, and the larger community. Benefits for participants include an introduction legal careers, training as judges, jurors, attorneys, advocates, and other roles, and deeper engagement with their communities and schools.

When the jury finds the youth guilty, it hands down a consequence and once completed, the youth’s case is dismissed. Consequences may include apologies to the victim and their family, participation in mental health and substance abuse treatment programs, and community service that builds on the youth’s strengths and interests.