Page 15 - Tribal Court Law and Justice Booklet

Juvenile Diversion Panel

Since starting the juvenile diversion panel (known as the Community
Accountability Board (C.A.B.)) in July 2010, the C.A.B. has heard over
100 cases so far. This diversion program is an alternative to the juvenile
court process.

The C.A.B. meets monthly with Tribal member youths under the age
of 18 years old who are arrested for minor offenses and are eligible for
participation in the C.A.B. Objectives of the panel are to hold the youth
accountable for their actions, foster a change in attitude, impress upon
the youth the community is concerned about their conduct, increase
awareness of their behavior, and to maximize opportunities for the youth.
Current C.A.B. member volunteers include: Lorna Edge-Onsel, Hilary
Sotomish, Jim Kerney, Denise Hatch-Anderson, Rebecca Hungerford,
Tosha Edwards, Lynnette Edge, Lou Ann Carter, Maureen Alexander and
Judge Ron Whitener. “We all want the youth to be positive, productive
members for our community. The C.A.B. is a way to let the youth know
that everyone makes mistakes when they are young and deserve a
second chance while still holding them accountable for their actions,”
said former C.A.B. member volunteer Angel Cortez.
The C.A.B. meets once a month from 5:30 to 7:30 pm at the Tribal
Court.

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