Pocono News Section

Outcries Growing Over Juvenile Courts

Outcries Growing Over Juvenile Courts - Wednesday, April 30, 2008 at 11:08PM EST

Reported by: Joe Holden
Wednesday, Apr 30, 2008 @ 11:08pm EST

WILKES-BARRE, LUZERNE COUNTY- Bob Savage says his daughter appeared before juvenile court Judge Mark Ciavarella two years ago on a drug-related charge.

He wouldn't see his 16-year-old girl for 100 days.

"They said, oh it's nothing, don't worry about it, she'll be right out. And all the judge asked, were you here when I talked about drugs or something at school. She said yeah, I was there, something about fighting. He (Ciavarella) said take her away," Savage said.

This account mirrors Jessica Van Reeth's story.

Last year she was in juvenile court in front of Judge Ciavarella. The Crestwood High student pleaded guilty to having a lighter and pipe on school property. She said her case worker counseled her to plead guilty. She expected to get a sentence of probation. She was wrong.

"At the time, I had no legal representation, I had no knowledge, it was a very confusing time." Van Reef was sent to a detention center in Central Pa. for three months. Her parents waited weeks to speak to the honor roll student. Her life was put on-hold.

A similar scenario for the Savage family amounted to an equally confusing time.

"We didn't get no lawyer or nothing. They locked her away for three months. They said we didn't need one," Savage said.

Since 2005, the Juvenile Law Center, a Philadelphia-based children's rights advocacy group, says state records show 50-percent of juveniles appearing in Luzerne County court had no legal representation. It has petitioned the state's Supreme Court for emergency action. The center is asking all juveniles currently locked up who had no lawyer, released.

According to state law, the presiding judge at a delinquency hearing must thoroughly explain to a juvenile the consequences of moving forward without an attorney. The center is looking to speak with some 200 people it believes had no counsel when appearing in the Luzerne County system.

An attorney with the center says she's been down this road before with Judge Ciavarella.

In January 2001, the Pa. Supreme Court overturned a decision by the judge. Records show he sent a 13-year to jail without an attorney present. In published reports then, Ciavarella said "I'll never do it again."

Since Monday, Luzerne County has been slapped "worst violator of youth civil rights," by the Juvenile Law Center.

People in South Wilkes-Barre were quick to respond to the damaging reports .

"The judges don't realize they're ruining these kids lives. Once they put them away and they have this on their record, they're ruining their lives," Natasha Perry said.

"I think everybody, no matter what they do, should be represented by an attorney," Tom Williams said.

The Juvenile Law Center is looking to speak with anyone with information relevant to this case. You can reach them by calling (215) 625-0551.