The first Young Adult Court was commemorated in Brooklyn Criminal Court on Friday. Supervising Judge Michael Yavinsky addressed the attendees, who included, seated behind Yavinsky, from left, Brooklyn District Attorney Kenneth Thompson and Chief Administrative Judge Lawrence Marks.
The court, which will handle misdemeanor defendants ages 16 through 24 and link them with counseling, treatment and services, is the first of its type in New York state and the second in the country. Though other problem-solving courts for adolescents exist, Marks said the innovation lay in the part’s expanded age group. The program is supported by a grant from the U.S. Department of Justice to the Brooklyn DA’s office and the Center for Court Innovation. Criminal Court Judge Craig Walker will preside over the part.
