The Desert IndependentTM

Serving Blythe, California & the Desert Regions of the Southwest

Juvenile Justice

Safe Schools and Truancy Court

By Robert E. Jensen
The Desert Independent

June 27, 2010

BLYTHE, Calif – Ousted Special Services Director Jacob Jensen strode down the corridor of the Blythe Superior Court this past week with a confident strut in his step accompanied by a “mini-me” – a similarly goateed BMS Vice-Principal Meliton Sanchez in tow. This was to be his last official appearance before the Safe Schools and Truancy court before shipping out to his new post as Superintendent of Schools in Valdez, Alaska. His stay was only minutes as he introduced Mr. Sanchez as this month’s replacement representative from the School District to the visiting judge, the Honorable Kurt L. Lewin, as the usual Judge, Sarah “Schoolmarm” Christian, was unavailable to officiate.

The rules of the game have changed since the last session. Due to the impact of budget cuts to the Probation Department, the Youth Accountability Team (YAT) has now become a thing of the past. No longer will a judge be able to assign recalcitrant students to an on-site Probation Officer for oversight of grades, deportment and attendance. As it was revealed by Judge Lewin, that only leaves the “big guns” such as outright fines, community service through the Volunteer Center at the rate of $10.00 per hour to pay off such fines or loss/denial of that student’s driving privileges until he/she is 18.

A small crowd of students and guardians was again informed that they may plead either guilty, no contest or guilty to the charges leveled by the Blythe Police Department or by the School District. Those who chose to defend themselves were reminded that their cases would go on to trial at a later date and that they could subpoena witnesses but any legal representation would have to come from their own pockets. There were no teacher-bashings, admirable admonitions or homespun homilies coming from the bench during this session. All was cut and dried but for a few interesting cases.

The first was a 7th grade BMS student who came forward with proof of completion of Community Service. “Well done,” said Judge Lewin. “You don’t have to make any return appearances.”

The next student and his mother challenged a charge of Truancy being made by the School District. “I came to school,” said he. “I just ditched fifth hour!”. Judge Lewin straightened him out by reminding him that he could not just come to school and then come and go as he pleased. Mr. Sanchez also pointed out to the judge that he was absent not just for that day but also had 10 other undocumented absences for the period as well. This young man was then fined $445 with $45 being paid for registration with the Volunteer Center and the remainder being worked off with 40 hours of Community Service.

One young lady came forward with a plea of “guilty” to possession of alcohol and a fine of $60 was observed. However, the student had already performed 6 hours of “Cleanup Duty” at the river as confirmed by the Probation Dept. and, as such, the case was dismissed.

A Twin Palms student who had made several appearances before Judge Christian came forward with his High School Diploma as proof of graduation and that case was closed.

Two students, who were apparently brothers, came forward with one having 116 periods of absence from school and the other 160 periods. While the attendance is noted by periods – and that there are 7 periods in a day - it is necessary to divide the total periods by 7 to find the actual number of days missed. In the former case, it was over 16 days, the latter had close to 23 – too many in each case to miss in a school year. Both brothers were fined the $445 with Community Service paying off all but $45 out-of-pocket monies for the parents.

Three students were not present in court and – as the court cannot issue bench warrants for such juveniles – a hold was placed on their driver’s licenses.

One last student came forward with a charge of truancy. This time however, the mother came forward with an attendance record that showed his absences were due to football games, had already graduated and – for that matter – showed a Football Scholarship to Arizona Western. “Why is this student even here?” inquired Judge Lewin. Mr. Sanchez explained that he had been caught in the same “net” as two brothers and, as such, all three received the same charges. The Judge asked of the graduate, “Where will you attend school next fall?” “Arizona Western!” responded future football star. “Case Dismissed!” expounded His Honor as the gavel met the bench.

There will several cases up for review by Judge Christian in July but there should not be any new ones on the docket. The Safe Schools and Truancy Court meets at 1:30 in Blythe Superior Court on the last Wednesday of each month.