The Town of Babylon Youth Court spent a recent evening participating in a “mock trial,” where members of the Court deliberate over a legal dispute while audience members serve as a jury. The mock trial presentation—The People v. Adrian Vega—focused on the issue of Miranda rights, the theme for this year’s Law Day celebration. Town of Babylon Councilwoman Jackie Gordon joined Councilman Tom Donnelly, Suffolk County Presiding Officer DuWayne Gregory, and Suffolk County Police Commissioner Tim Sini in attendance.
The Youth Court was established in 2006 as a means to reduce juvenile delinquency through positive peer influence while allowing first time offenders of violations or misdemeanors under the age of 16 to be heard by a jury made up of those close in age to them. The program is coordinated by Claire McKeon (Executive Director of the Town of Babylon Youth Bureau) and Melissa Morman.
Pictured with Youth Court members and advisors are Presiding Officer Gregory (second from left), Councilwoman Gordon (fifth from right), and Councilman Donnelly (fourth from right).