Senator Volker Secures $50,000 For Livingston County Youth Court

(ALBANY, N.Y.) Senator Dale M. Volker (R-C-I, Depew) announced today that he has secured $50,000 for the Livingston County Youth Court. These state funds will be used by the Livingston County Youth Court for the continuation of their implementation of a long-lasting diversion program for those young people who may come in contact with the criminal justice system.

"The Livingston County Youth Court Program is a specialty court that works collaboratively with drug court, Domestic Violence Court, courts for mental hygiene, probate court and other juvenile courts," said Senator Dale M. Volker. "These specialty courts are individualized to meet the distinct needs of the young person in a more efficient way and to also curtail recidivism by the individual. This state investment on the front end can dramatically give the young person a second chance for a successful future, rather than a life ruined by crime."

James Merrick, Chairman of the Livingston County Board of Supervisors said, "The Livingston County Youth Court Program is a benefit to the entire community. Our young people, our families and our entire community reaps the benefits of a child who puts their energies towards something positive, rather than down the road of illegal behavior, substance abuse, and other dangerous choices. As Chairman of the Senate Committee on Criminal and Civil Codes, Senator Volker understands the importance of our Youth Court Program and I would like to thank him for his continued support in securing state funding in order to keep this program operational."

The Livingston County Youth Court Program benefits troubled youth by diverting them from the family court experience, allowing them to be tried by their peers and given consequences that fit their respective crime(s). The youthful offender’s experience under the youth court program acts as a wake up call and gives them another chance to decide to take the right path, void of illegal behavior or destructive personal choices.

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