Chipley Kiwanis Club President Brandon Lovering welcomed District Lt. Governor to Tuesday’s meeting.
David King, Kiwanis Club Lt. Governor District 2 in DeFuniak Springs, was a special guest at Tuesday’s meeting of the Chipley Kiwanis Club. He thanked club members for their commitment to the Kiwanis program.
Values of Kiwanis
“Kiwanis is passionate about making a difference. Helping kids grow and succeed is at the heart of everything we do. But how we do it is just as important. We believe our neighborhoods and our world are best served when people of all ages and different backgrounds work together to share their time and talents.”
Chipley Kiwanis Club President Brandon Lovering announced the following special events being held in Washington County during upcoming weeks:
- Adam Putnam will be at Hard Labor Creek at 5:30 p.m. on May 14th.
- Kiwanis Satellite Club will meet May 15th at 5:30 p.m. at Skins & Bubba’s Restaurant in Chipley. Dues are $75 for Kiwanis International and then $12 a month.
- June 8th will be the Kiwanis Club Golf Tournament.
- June 23rd will be the 2018 Watermelon Festival.
Presenting the program at Tuesday’s meeting of Chipley Kiwanis Club were volunteers with the Teen Court program in Washington County.
Donna Prather, who heads up the Washington County Teen Court program, introduced student volunteers with the program who explained that successful completion of the Teen Court program makes a difference in the lives of young people referred to the program which focuses on family, community faith and education.
Teen Court is a juvenile diversion program for first-time offenders where youths can elect to participate rather than go through the customary process of Juvenile Court. Juveniles ages 8 to 17, who admit their guilt, are eligible for the program. Parent participation is mandatory. Those who are accepted and successfully complete the program will not have a juvenile record.
In Teen Court, the offender will be represented, examined, and cross-examined by trained teenage attorneys. A jury comprised of the offender’s peers will deliberate what sanctions should be placed on the individuals.
All defendants will be required to complete a number of community service hours and a number of sessions as a juror in Teen Court. Other sanctions may include counseling, essays relative to the offense, house arrest, suspension of driver’s license, and restitution (if applicable). All sentences must be completed within 60-90 days following the Teen Court trial. Failure to comply or to abide by the rules of Teen Court will result in the case being sent back to Juvenile Court.
Through Teen Court, the offender has a better understanding of the consequences of breaking the law. The program allows the juvenile to participate in a “hands-on” educational process to learn more about justice. At the same time, it allows youthful offenders to recognize and assume the consequences of their actions via judgment in a courtroom by their peers. Teen Court provides immediate sanctions for the juvenile to show the offender that there are consequences for inappropriate behavior. Furthermore, the recidivism rate for Teen Court programs is approximately five percent, whereas the r the recidivism rate for juvenile Court is 33 percent. By promoting self-esteem, self-improvement, and a more positive attitude toward authority and the juvenile justice system. Teen Court can be the turning point for juveniles who are at risk for delinquent behavior.
Washington County Teen Court was originally started 21 years ago as a project of the local juvenile justice council. Since that time, a Board of Directors has been established to develop, operate, and raise funds to establish a program that meets the needs of Washington County’s youth.