 Story and photos by Gretchen Klein November 16, 2002
 The graduates, ages 12-18, took part in an eight week course taught by Judge Stephens. These classes were designed to prepare the students for participating in youth court proceedings with active roles as judges, attorneys, bailiffs, and clerks. Students are also required to practice several mock trials before handling cases referred from juvenile probation and district court.  Graduates:
 their right hands for the swearing in ceremony... Ketchikan Youth Court also held the 'First Annual Awards Banquet/ Dinner' after the swearing in ceremony. Twenty-five awards were presented to youth and volunteers who provided 180 hours of service to KYC. KYC presented awards to:
Ketchikan Youth Court handles first time offenders. In order to come before the Youth Court for sentencing, the offender must plead guilty. Youth Court members sentence offenders to community service, restitution, essays, and other creative sentencing options. The Ketchikan Youth Court members must stay within the sentencing parameters of the Alaska State Court System. At this time there are 48 active members in the Ketchikan Youth Court and eighty-five students have taken part in classes. These KYC members have handled 72 cases referred from Juvenile Probation or District Court since November 2000. There has been 20% recidivism rate by offenders after being sentenced in KYC. This gives Ketchikan Youth Court an 80% success rate to date. KYC members pride themselves in emphasizing "Restorative Justice" and offenders have served more than 1,250 hours of community service in Ketchikan. Youth members have been creative with sentencing using such ideas as picture books and essays on specific themes relating to developmental assets, healthy lifestyles, and making good choices. Victims are contacted and encouraged to be involved in the process and/or have their voices heard. Other sentencing includes apology letters to victims, community projects, community service requiring the offender to give back to the community and take responsibility, JASAP classes, observing adult hearings, tutoring children who need help with subjects, and restitution. In October, the Ketchikan Youth Court hosted the annual State Conference in Ketchikan. The State Conference provided a great experience for youth from around the state. Local KYC members and volunteers spent weeks preparing for the State Conference. For anyone interested in volunteering or serving on the KYC board, contact Coordinator Gretchen Klein at 225-2293. KYC is funded by the Division of Juvenile Justice and managed by the Alaska Educational Resource Center.
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