Spaull appointed to special youth courts committee

By Daily Record Staff
Posted: 7:46 pm Mon, September 13, 2010

Former New York State Chief Judge Judith S. Kaye has appointed Rochester City Council Vice President Elaine M. Spaull to serve as a member of the New York State Bar Association Special Committee on Youth Courts.

The mission of the newly formed special committee is to examine the various roles that the Bar Association can play in strengthening youth courts, defining best practices, identifying new locations where new youth courts can be established and developing fundraising strategies to enlarge the initiative.

The 29-member committee is co-chaired by Judge Kaye, who currently serves as of counsel for Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, and attorney Patricia L.R. Rodriguez, owner of the Law Office of Patricia L. R. Rodriguez.

Spaull, who also serves as executive director of the Center for Youth, was selected because of her extensive record of youth advocacy. Additionally, the Center for Youth serves as the parent organization for Rochester’s successful Teen Court program, in operation since 1997.

The basic premise of Teen Court is that if peer pressure can lead young people into trouble, it can also lead them out. Teen Courts have trained teens serve as judges, attorneys and jurors in low-level matters involving youths between the ages of 10 and 18. Sentences often include community service, restitution, counseling and an apology, which if successfully completed, avoids a permanent criminal conviction.

The first meeting of the NYSBA Special Committee on Youth Courts is scheduled for Oct. 26.