JLAW – Juvenile Law Education Project
- What is the youngest age at which a person can be arrested in New York?
- Can a child be charged with a crime for simply acting as a lookout?
- Is possession of a BB gun restricted by age?
- Does a child have a right to a jury trial in Family Court?
- Can a parent be sued in court for allowing underage drinkers to drink on their property?
- Are fireworks legal in New York State?
- Is it true that a parent of a child who shoplifts can be sued for up to five times the cost of an item taken, even if the child is not convicted of a crime?
- If you find lost property can you keep it?
- Can a child ever be tried as an adult?
These are just some of the topics covered by JLAW, a school-based program that provides workshops to elementary and middle school students (aged 10 to 13 years) and their parents to teach them about their rights and responsibilities under the law. JLAW helps students and their families understand the need for healthy, positive decision-making, even in the face of peer pressure regarding drugs, gangs and other high-risk behavior.
JLAW was created by JLEP, the Juvenile Law Education Project, a private, non-profit organization founded in 1979; JLAW joined FSW in 2005. Its mission is to reduce juvenile crime in Westchester County by promoting responsible decision-making, fostering self-esteem and increasing awareness of a youth’s legal rights and responsibilities.
This program provides a series of three in-school workshops. Trained volunteers, classroom teachers and police officers work together to educate children about the differences between juveniles and adults in the criminal justice system, the purpose of Family Court, and the types of behavior that may land juveniles in Family Court, as well as decision-making strategies that take into account consequences. Students also learn about the legal rights and responsibilities pertaining to juveniles and the role of police and youth officers in keeping communities safe. The cost of the JLAW program is approximately $3 per student, which covers materials used in the workshops.
Currently there are JLAW programs in Bronxville, Eastchester, Harrison, North Salem, Port Chester, Rye city, Rye Brook, Rye Neck, Tuckahoe, White Plains and other Westchester school systems. In addition JLAW is contracted by the Yonkers school system to conduct workshops for 4th graders. More than 4,500 students throughout Westchester participate in JLAW workshops every year.
If you would like more information on how to get JLAW into your school district, please contact:
Sujata Gadkar-Wilcox, Director (914) 872-5240
Useful links:
courttv.com
