HomeMy WebLinkAboutJAC minutes 060118 CRIMINAL JUSTICE RESOURCE DEPARTMENT
Justice Advisory Council Meeting
Friday,June 1, 2018
West Campus Office Building—Room 004
Hillsborough 3:00 PM—4:30 PM
Minutes
Welcome
Commissioner Barry Jacobs called to order the meeting of The Justice Advisory Council at 3:05 pm and welcomed
everyone. He proposed that introductions be made for the benefit of new members to the council.
Updates from JAC Stakeholders
• Detention Center Update
Mr.Travis Myren reported that the property that is to house the Detention Center closed in April.The facility
would also be the base for Environmental and Agricultural Center and Recreation and Parks.The position of
Construction Manager at Risk would be re-advertised. Sheriff Blackwood inquired if the facility would have
diversion beds. Caitlin Fenhagen suggested that elements within the jail may prove beneficial for beds.There is
collaboration with Freedom House to stream line the process. Data is being collected to put before the board by
September. Caitlin Fenhagen disclosed that it would most likely be chairs and not beds. Mr. Myren indicated
that when the architect is ready to size and plan, programming will be discussed.
• Local Reentry Council Inaugural Meeting
Commissioner Barry Jacobs spoke to the success of the Re-entry Council Meeting. He provided a brief history of
the start of the Council and his involvement. Caitlin Fenhagen informed the council that a grant had been
awarded. Once the money is received it would fund two positions, coordinator and a case manager position,
which would be housed in the Whited Building in the Health Department. Both will work in collaboration with
Tommy Green, Fit Coordinator. Caitlin invited individuals interested in being a part of the Re-entry Council to
contact her. She offered her thanks to everyone involved with the origination of the council as well as to those
involved with the success of the meeting of April 27, 2018.
• D.A. Statewide Mass Dismissal Project
Bryon Beasley expounded on the process his office was currently undergoing to get old cases off the books that
were pending since 1985.The Administrative Offices of the Courts is working with the DA's office to determine
what cases can be dismissed. Decisions will be made regarding the age of the case—anything more than 8 years
old. Orange County has a total of about 45,700 cases. Some of course are not appropriate for dismissal.All
driving charges except DWI, death by motor vehicle will not be dismissed. License revoked prior to June 1, 2010
will be dismissed.The state did not provide parameters to follow. Each DA office will be given discretion to
complete the process. DA Beasley also commented on the great work of the Re-entry Council and what it will
mean for the citizens of Orange County.
Juvenile Justice/Youth Spotlight
Caitlin introduced Desmond Frierson, Coordinator of the Misdemeanor Diversion Program,which is a part of the
Criminal Justice Resource Department. Desmond provided information on his education and work history.
Desmond explained how the Misdemeanor Diversion Program works and its benefit to those participating in the
program. He explain the referral process and the stakeholders working with the programs, such as the Sherriff's
Department and the Dispute Settlement Center along with the various community agencies that participants
might be fulfilling community services commitments. The program helps 16-17 year olds charged avoid going
through the judicial system and generating a record. Community service and/or mediation are used depending
on the charge. He disclosed that about 114 referrals have been made to the program since its inception with a
90%success rate.There is speculation that the age of those able to benefit from the program may be raised.
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Raise the Age:What it will mean for Orange County
• Peggy Hamlett, Chief Court Counselor provided insight on the need to raise the age. Ms. Hamlett pointed out
that crime across the state of North Carolina involving juveniles is down and especially in Orange County.
Reportedly, North Carolina will no longer prosecute juveniles as adults beginning at age 16 for all offenses
except violent felonies and motor vehicle offenses.The criminal age of responsibility has been raised to 18 as a
result of the Juvenile Justice Reinvestment Act. Other changes address victims' rights, disclosure of information
to law enforcement,juvenile records (law enforcement officers may not obtain copies of juvenile records and
must maintain the confidentiality of any information received) and juvenile gang activity.The age increase is not
effective until December 1, 2019, however. Ms. Hamlet maintained that raise the age will improve public safety,
produce economic benefit and increase employability.Judge Buckner added that employment for latter years
will be positively impacted. Other benefits include parental engagement, court ordered professional treatment
and intervention have been supported by science in reducing juvenile crime than incarcerating juveniles in adult
facilities.
• Steve Stadler concluded with sharing information on what is the law and what is required.The pointed out that
there is now a new definition of juvenile.A"delinquent juvenile," as defined by G.S. 7B-1501(7),will include 16
and 17-year-olds who commit crimes or infractions, "excluding violation of the motor vehicle laws," or indirect
contempt by a juvenile. He reviewed some exclusion to this new law regarding"raise the age":those 18 and
older; once a juvenile has been convicted of any offense in either district or superior court, "including a violation
of the motor vehicle laws,"the juvenile must be prosecuted as an adult for all subsequent offenses and teens
who already have an adult conviction when raise the age becomes effective will not be included.The juvenile
court's jurisdiction will continue to age 19 for offenses committed by 16-year-olds, and to age 20 for offenses
committed by 17-year-olds, unless terminated earlier by the court. Mr. Sadler pointed out that the District Court
Judge has to make a decision as to whether a case will be binding over to adult court.The new change also
provides for greater protection for victims.A letter is sent to victims indicating the courts' decision and notice
that the decision can be appealed. Law enforcement must be more specific with request of information.They
can't be fishing. Information must be specific to that juvenile's case—not try to determine if there is a history.
He conveyed that how to house youth in the appropriate facility and transporting was part of the change. Once
the youth turns 18, he has to go to jail and cannot be house with youth.
The School Justice Partnership Model
• Judge Buckner, Chief District Court, briefly shared his history with Juvenile Court in 1995 receiving assistance
from Peggy Hamlet and Donnie Phillips who was Chief Court Counselor at the time. Chatham, Orange, and
Chapel Hill-Carrboro school systems were part of a grant written to create a working relationship with DJJ to
help eliminate some of the school's frustration with the judicial system.The New Hanover County model was
used.The main goal is the School Justice Partnership is to keep kids in school and out of the courts and to
minimize suspensions, expulsions and school based referrals to courts.Judge Buckner stated that in the
inception of Truancy Court it was learned that if the behavior started in elementary by the time they are in
middle and high school there is an excellent change the behavior has increased. Sixty percent of individuals in
jail have no high school education. We are doing a good job now but need to do a better job in five years. Early
intervention is the key.
• Raquelle Hawkins,Juvenile Court School Liaison, shared that her position offers support to children already
involved in court. Interventions include holding monthly meeting with school and community partners to access
student needs where all stakeholders are able to review what is going on with the child; develop service plans
and goals for the student as well as the parents and to provide liaison communication between the court and
school.They are also attempting to get students to take responsibility for their actions. Ms. Hawkins gave
examples of success stories resulting from youth and families in Truancy Court. Commissioner Jacobs stated that
the examples provided brought the program to life. He suggested the importance of educating the public and
the advantage we have in Orange County is partnership. Commissioner Jacobs thank everyone and adjourned
the meeting at 4:30 pm.
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The next meeting is scheduled for Friday, September 14, 2018.
ORANGE COUNTY
NORTH CAROLINA