Rome Youth Court

Need:  Rome accounted for nearly 182 J.D. or PINS filings in 2003.  The Rome Police Department tried for years to institute a youth court in the community.  It was Oneida County Youth Court, working with police, city and school officials, that accomplished this task.  Initial reluctance was overcome by massive support from Rome citizens and public officials.  Mayor James Brown, Police Chief Otto Panara and County Legislator Patty Hudak remain vocal supporters of the program.

News:  July/August was another productive period for Rome Youth Court. After losing several volunteers to graduation, expanding our base of student volunteers was crucial. The Director worked with school and advisory board officials to target interested students for summer training. Our first day of training, August 8, yielded more than 40 volunteers. Our numbers eventually tapered off, due to the level of commitment required (over 25 hours of speakers and mock trials), but this is still our largest training class. Prior to the commencement of training (August), we heard four more cases in July. To date, nine cases have been heard, generating 172 hour of community service, 15 jury sentences, 13 letters of apology, 1 essay, three jail tours and 1 mediation.

Oneida County Youth Court
321 Main Street
Utica, New York  13501
(315) 798-5914

© 2005 Oneida County, New York, USA