PITTSFORD YOUTH COURT

Youth Court Proposal
The Youth Court system, successful in over 1,200 communities nationwide, presents an alternative approach to juvenile justice. By employing concepts such as positive peer influence, accountability, and youth involvement, Youth Courts offer communities a prevention and early intervention program. Because minor criminal offenses and repeated disruptive behavior are known to be signs of a troubled youth, the Youth Court system is a step in addressing a local community's youth-related problems.

In October, 2008 Supervisor Bill Carpenter called for the formation of an exploratory committee to look into the merits of creating a Youth Court in Pittsford. Town Board member John Bernacki, now Town Justice, was asked to chair the committee that also included faculty, students and parents representing the Pittsford Schools, the Monroe County Sheriff's Department, community youth organizations and residents. The committee was asked to deliver their recommendations to the community, based on the feasibility and benefits of having a Youth Court, the legal issues as well as the associated costs.

Click here to see the full proposal for the Youth Court.

	John Bernacki, Town Justice
	Christopher Calabrese, Pittsford Resident
	Sharon Peet, PTSA
	Sidnea Mercer, Pittsford Mendon High School
	Eva Bandurowski, Pittsford Sutherland High School
	Maureen Randall, Pittsford Sutherland High School
	Adil Ali, Calkins Road Middle School
	Liz Konar, Sutherland High School Principal
	Captain William Sanborn, Monroe County Sheriff’s Office
	Dale Cameron-Kody, Pittsford Alliance for a Substance Free Youth
	Roshni Master, Pittsford Sutherland High School
	Kevin Koenders, Pittsford Sutherland High School
	Mark Silberg, Pittsford Sutherland High School
	Lisa Fulmer, Pittsford Youth Services
	Jill Harter Lennox, Youth Court Coordinator
Judge John Bernacki is pictured with Pittsford teenagers who were chosen to be panelists / jurors in the new Youth Court. These students received extensive training and were administered an oath of confidentiality by Judge Bernacki.