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Juvenile Crime Prevention Councils

Juvenile Crime Prevention Councils (JCPC or Council) are community members and youth stakeholders within each county tasked with addressing services and support for at risk and delinquent youth. Appointed members attend monthly meetings with various JCPC-funded programs to discuss programming, its effectiveness, and how juvenile delinquency impacts the county. In addition to monthly meetings, the Council is responsible for creating a written plan for the expenditure of funds that will be used in juvenile delinquency prevention programming. Eligible programs may include mentoring, Teen Court, mediation/conflict resolution, interpersonal skill building, or restitution/community service. 


Each Council reflects its diverse community, with members appointed from different ethnic, racial, and socioeconomic backgrounds. These members, including district court judges, substance abuse professionals, county managers, members of the faith community, and youth under twenty-one, are crucial to the Council's mission. The local county commissioners may appoint up to twenty-six (26) members to serve on the local Council, ensuring a broad and inclusive representation.


In addition to the previously mentioned appointed positions, NCGS 143B‑846 (a)(13) allocates a seat for a juvenile defense attorney. Having the juvenile defense attorney position filled benefits the Council, the defense attorney, and the community. Joining a Council improves the professional reputation of the attorney by demonstrating their commitment to client advocacy and public service while giving back to the community. The attorney’s participation benefits the Council by allowing other members to explore different perspectives about the legal aspect of juvenile delinquency and its nuances.


One of the duties of a Council is to "evaluate the performance of juvenile services and programs." Attorneys have unique access to the direct experiences of youth within the system. Through their interactions, attorneys can assess the effectiveness of various programs based on their clients' progress and feedback. For example, an attorney can recognize patterns among clients who do not have additional complaints and compare it with any JCPC funded program the client participates in. By reporting their observations and experiences to the Council, attorneys can contribute to the evaluation of local programs.  This information is important to the Council because it allows the Council to evaluate programs and make decisions when it comes to funding and program development.


Defense attorneys who actively participate in Council meetings will be informed on the current programming, funding, and potential policy changes surrounding juvenile justice. By staying informed, a youth defender can advocate for the most current and effective possible dispositional options on behalf of their client. The attorney can also inform fellow attorneys of available programming and services, contributing to the overall effectiveness of the local defense bar.


Juvenile Crime Prevention Councils are crucial to assess juvenile delinquency in the county. Currently, fifty-three (53) counties have a youth defense attorney serving on their local Council. With many counties already benefiting from the involvement of youth defense attorneys, it is evident that their participation enhances the Council's ability to make informed decisions. If you are interested in getting involved in your local Council, reach out to the Chairmen of your county. Each county already has a Council established, and the Chairmen's contact information can be found on the North Carolina Department of Public Safety's website. For those interested in positively impacting juvenile justice, joining a local Council offers a valuable opportunity to contribute to meaningful change within the community.


 

🚨 SURVEY ALERT! 🚨


We'd love to know your current involvement/knowledge of JCPCs and your interest in building a network with other JCPC attorneys quarterly. Please click the hyperlink below to complete the survey. We'll appreciate your responses!


➡ JCPC Attorney Survey ⬅



 

⬇ UPCOMING TRAININGS ⬇


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