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Juvenile Justice Programs

 

What is a Juvenile Hearing Board (JHB)?

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JHBs are community-based volunteer organizations operating in most cities and towns in Rhode Island, working in conjunction with their local police departments. In 2023, JHBs served over 300 youth, 121 BIPOC youth. Youths are eligible to be seen by JHBs if they admit responsibility for a misdemeanor-level offense that they committed when they were less than 18 years old and are a first-time offender. In most jurisdictions, local police departments have the authority to send eligible juveniles either to their local JHB or to Family Court, depending on the seriousness of the offense and the likelihood of rehabilitation through the JHB process.

 

How does RICJ Support JHBs?


RICJ connects JHBs through meetings to share best practices, training for new members, and expert presentations on important topics. Additionally, RICJ has 2 case managers who work directly with youth going through the JHB process in four JHBs. RICJ collects vital data about the JHB activity, including re- arrest data that shows the effectiveness of JHBs and racial data that measures JHBs progress in addressing the needs of BIPOC youth.

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JHB Objectives:

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  1. Decrease juvenile cases referred to Family Court and system-involved youth in RI.

  2. Lower re-offense rates among youth.

  3. Build competencies in youth, including school performance, relationships, anger management, and life skills.

  4. Raise community awareness of issues impacting youth and families.

7 Steps in JHB Hearing

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  • Where do JHBs operate?
    In Rhode Island, there are Juvenile Hearing boards in Barrington, Bristol, Burriville, Central Falls, Charlestown, Coventry, Cranston, Cumberland, East Greenwhich, East Providence, Exeter, Foster, Glocester, Hopkinton, Jamestown, Johnston, Lincoln, Middletown, Narragansett, Newport, North Providence, North Smithfield, Pawtucket, Portsmouth, Providence, Scituate, Smithfield, Tiverton, Warren, Warwick, West Greenwhich, West Warwick, Westerly, and Woonsocket.
  • Will it appear on my on my record that I had a JHB hearing or that I plead guilty?
    No. There is no criminal record because the case never gets to court (A JHB holds no criminal records and the JHB is confidential.) There may be an arrest record-- however, those are typically destroyed within the year
  • How long is the process from the moment I am arrested to when I know if I will be referred to the JHB?
    The length of the referral process may depend on which town/city the crime occurred in/which JHB will see you. Typically, youth are seen within a month. JHBs operating in urban areas may have a longer referral process.
  • Do I have to be a citizen to be referred to the JHB?
    No, you do not have to be a citizen to be referred to the JHB.
  • What if my parents don’t speak English?
    There are JHB members who speak different languages. In some events, translators are hired for the hearing.
  • Will the JHB send me to jail?
    No, the JHB will NOT send you to jail! The JHB is a community-based alternative to the system.
  • What happens if I do not comply with the agreement I signed during my hearing?
    If a juvenile does not comply with sanctions, this will be discussed at the follow-up hearing. After discussion, the JHB may decide that their case needs to be returned to court.
  • How much does a JHB hearing cost?
    A JHB hearing is free.
  • I have an emergency and I can’t make it to my hearing date. What should I do?
    Call your JHB and reschedule.
  • How do I know if I am eligible to be referred to a JHB?
    Appropriate cases for JHB review/Eligible cases include youth who:​ -are referred to the Hearing Board -are under the age of 18 -were arrested for an offense which, if committed by an adult, would be a misdemeanor crime. -reside and attend school in the city/town where JHB operates (or may have committed the offense there) -sign a statement admitting to the charges, waiving their right to a Family Court hearing and agreeing to appear before the JHB and abide by the JHB's decision, and acknowledging that if they fail to comply with sanctions ordered by the Board, the case may be referred back to Family Court, and or the police department (parents or legal guardians must sign the same statement). -If the youth has appeared before the JHB on one previous occasion, they must have successfully completed all ordered sanctions, and their most recent alleged misconduct must be either a misdemeanor or truancy. ​ Typically, youth are NOT eligible for the JHB if they: -have previously been convicted of a crime, particularly a felony crime, in Family Court; -are under Family Court jurisdiction at the time of the arrest; -are accused of drug offenses other than possession of alcohol; -are charged with a felony or multiple/serious violations. -were referred to the Hearing Board previously, but did not fully comply with sanctions ordered by the Board; or -have been referred to the Hearing Board twice before, regardless of whether all sanctions ordered by the Board have been complied with.
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