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For three young men, Friday marked the beginning of a new chapter of their lives this one, unmarked by the felonies they were charged with.
The Orange County Young Adult Court, a collaborative court for first-time nonviolent felony offenders between the ages of 18 and 23, graduated three of its initial 25 participants late Friday afternoon with tearful goodbyes before Orange County Superior Court Judge Maria Hernandez reduced or dismissed their convictions.
Hernandez said that she wished that everyone who had a hand in the cases could be present in-person, but that current restrictions forbid it as COVID-19 cases continue to grow in Orange County.
ILLINOIS (WAND) - An Illinois judge is seeking the creation of a young adult branch of circuit courts in Illinois, calling the option potentially far more humane than adult criminal courts.Â
The idea was submitted by First District Chief Judge Timothy Evans, who has been Chief Judge of the Circuit Court of Cook County since being elected to the position in Sept. 2001. Evans
shared his thoughts as a guest columnist on the Illinois Courts website.Â
Evans said this third branch of circuit court, named Young Adult Court, would specifically address conduct of emerging adults, or people between 18 and 26 years old.
Transitional Age Youth Unit
Launched in 2009 our Adult Probation Department maintains a special unit for 18- to 25-year-old probationers call the Transitional Age Youth (TAY) Unit. With staff trained in young adult development and trauma-informed approaches, the TAY Unit:
Works with clients to develop individualized treatment and rehabilitation plans (ITRP) based on the risks, needs, and emotional development of each client
Regularly reviews and adjusts plans
Connects clients with developmentally appropriate programs and resources across the city
The TAY Unit also conducts evidence-based programming specifically geared toward the cognitive-behavioral challenges for young adults. The unit has demonstrated remarkable results, including a 73 percent completion rate.