There’s just no accountability in the system, whatsoever,” Alfonso said. “On the abuse and neglect side, you don’t know if the Department of Human Services is doing their job. You don’t know if I’m doing my job. You don’t know what we’re doing.”
Hancock County Youth Court Judge Elise Deano has joined Alfonso in calling for reforms. Deano said the system’s secrecy has led to public distrust, making it difficult for youth courts to get necessary funding from county leaders, who, like the general public, know little or nothing about what goes on there.
“The very protection that is designed to keep the children safe is being used in a manner to damage the system, not help it,” Deano said. “All this secrecy is keeping me from getting the help I really need for these children.”
In recent decades, a number of states — either through their legislatures or courts — have opened juvenile proceedings with favorable results, according to a 2006 Indiana Law Review article by William Horne.
“In some cases, investigative news reports provided the impetus,” Horne wrote. “More often, and significantly, juvenile judges and juvenile justice officials brought about the change.”
Roughly a third of all states, including Mississippi, allow no public access at all to juvenile proceedings or records. Most other states allow some form of limited access, and about 14 operate under a directly open system, Horne said.
This Judge knows about the CORRUPTION AND STILL TAKES YOUR PARENTAL RIGHTS AWAY THERE IS NO ACCOUNTABILITY AND THIS JIDGE ADMITTES IT
Hancock County Youth Court Judge Elise Deano has joined Alfonso in calling for reforms. Deano said the system’s secrecy has led to public distrust, making it difficult for youth courts to get necessary funding from county leaders, who, like the general public, know little or nothing about what goes on there.
“The very protection that is designed to keep the children safe is being used in a manner to damage the system, not help it,” Deano said. “All this secrecy is keeping me from getting the help I really need for these children.”
In recent decades, a number of states — either through their legislatures or courts — have opened juvenile proceedings with favorable results, according to a 2006 Indiana Law Review article by William Horne.
“In some cases, investigative news reports provided the impetus,” Horne wrote. “More often, and significantly, juvenile judges and juvenile justice officials brought about the change.”
Roughly a third of all states, including Mississippi, allow no public access at all to juvenile proceedings or records. Most other states allow some form of limited access, and about 14 operate under a directly open system, Horne said.
It’s just not working anymore,” Hancock County Youth Court Judge Elise Deano said. “And it’s not working because it’s being used to beat the system over the head as opposed to protecting the kids.”
Just as the confidentiality creates the potential for an official to misrepresent facts or conceal the truth in a youth court case, it creates the same potential for a parent to lie in court, Deano said.
It’s just not working anymore,” Hancock County Youth Court Judge Elise Deano said. “And it’s not working because it’s being used to beat the system over the head as opposed to protecting the kids.”
Just as the confidentiality creates the potential for an official to misrepresent facts or conceal the truth in a youth court case, it creates the same potential for a parent to lie in court, Deano said.
CPS Director David Chandler said he is open to the idea of removing the system’s blanket of secrecy and allowing youth court judges to decide on a case-by-case basis whether confidentiality is needed, as all other court systems do
Erica Weary, who fostered the two toddlers who were sexually abused, is no longer a licensed foster parent. CPS Special Investigations Director Tonya Rogillio said Weary’s foster home has been closed since December, the same month the Sun Herald first reported on the sexual abuse.
Erica Weary, who fostered the two toddlers who were sexually abused, is no longer a licensed foster parent. CPS Special Investigations Director Tonya Rogillio said Weary’s foster home has been closed since December, the same month the Sun Herald first reported on the sexual abuse.
No comments:
Post a Comment