The Juvenile Conference Committee would serve as an alternative to juvenile court for young offenders.
By: Scott Morgan
HIGHTSTOWN When it comes to kids and crime, the borough is considering taking an approach beyond the arrest-jail-repeat cycle.
Recently, Councilman Larry Quattrone announced the borough’s intention to reinstate the Juvenile Conference Committee. The JCC is an alternative to standard juvenile court, conducted under the authority of the state Superior Court, which seeks to address juvenile crimes in less penal ways.
According to state literature on the program, JCC is a volunteer panel of citizens that discusses an offense with the juvenile suspect and his or her parents or guardians. Upon arrest, the child is directed by the Superior Court to the JCC, which then seeks to resolve the situation amongst family, rather than going through the juvenile justice system.
Mr. Quattrone said the program is a good way to deal with juvenile offenders without subjecting them to the horrors of the criminal justice system, thus keeping kids from learning early to hate the system.
In East Windsor, the JCC program has been in use for about 10 years. Township Mayor Janice Mironov said the program is a valuable tool to keep kids out of court. Calling the JCC a "very positive tool" for working with juveniles, Mayor Mironov said the program provides a great service by getting to kids early.
As for the borough, Mr. Quattrone said he has received applications for volunteer positions, of which the final six to eight members would be decided by mayoral appointment.