JUDGES FOR TEEN SUCCESS

Updated: June 9th, 2008

TEENS MEET JUDGE IN COURT

Our court systems are currently under great strain. Judges often meet teens from all walks of life. Some teens appearing before the bench are turned around by the experience, for others the experience will have no effect on them.

Teens who fall through the cracks often experience low self-esteem, unstable home lives, lack good role models, and have extremely low expectations of life. These teens often have been raised by a single mother, grandparent, or other relative under extremely stressful circumstances financial, emotional, and physical.

Many young people across the state will be introduced to the court system through truancy and other minor juvenile offences. Many of these young people come from low income families, lacking resources, tools and vision. We are concerned that many of these teens are on the "brink" of making potentially devastating choices.

“I learned that fighting is not the answer…… you have to think about the things you can do for yourself. My parents work hard to get me an education and to give me what I need. I am glad I came because I have learned how to take care of my own actions.”
OurMP Graduate - John R.

JUDGE OFFERS LEADERSHIP PROGRAM

Our Mission Possible provides judges a training alternative to punishment, which can inspire the teen to change their personal conduct. These changes are desired by schools , community and Judicial System. Our training programs are presented by skilled facilitators, providing the inspiration and support intended to end the teen's self-destructive truancy cycle.

We view teens appearing in the juvenile system as an opportunity to hear an unspoken cry for acknowledgement and support. Within many of these teens lies dormant, a spark of hope and a desire to create a better future for themselves. Our Mission is to offer programs which ignite that positive spark before it's too late.

“I want to be the best mechanic in my town and be a great example for the people in my town, so that everyone will want to be like me. I love that y’all are going to give us certificates so that we have something to have pride in.”
OurMP Graduate - Daniel G.

EDUCATION MANDATED BY STATE LAW

State law requires that students receive a public or private school education from 5 to under 21 years of age. Attendance is mandated by the state. When students fail to meet the minimum attendance requirements, schools are obligated to refer the student to the county juvenile probation department for further review.

According to Ana Zepeda, a dropout prevention specialist from Texas AISD, the student must be in class for 50% of the class period or they are considered absent. Students are reported for further supervision if they are absent for more than 10 days within a 6 month period, or three or more days in a three week period. Additionally, tardiness generally doesn’t constitute an absence; however, there may be instances where excessive unexcused tardiness within a 6 month period may result in truancy charges.

In the state of Texas, excessive absenteeism and tardiness will lead the student and parent/legal guardian to be sent to the courts for review.

“I want to be a nurse because there are many Latino families that don’t speak English and sometimes many of their children are dying, but nobody to understand what they’re going through.”
OurMP Graduate - Celina O.

PENALTY & FINES ALTERNATIVE

Many judges are aware that punishment for these teens "in survival" is a way of life. The courtroom is just another negative day in a life of negative experiences. Some actually view the criminal justice system as a right of passage. For these teens punishment is ineffective in getting them back in school. Unfortunately, many judges are left with few options to choose from when dealing with teens referred to their courts.

We offer our program to assist judges, schools and communities in keeping these teens out of the criminal justice system and off of the welfare rolls. Our alternative to punitive measures can deliver the results the judges desire, creating huge benefits for the teens, their families, the communities, schools and the judicial system.

“This program taught me that I make the choices that determine the outcome of my life. Others sharing their personal stories helped us to empathize with each other more."
OurMP Graduate - Jake C.