Prof. Deb Periman, J.D., and Prof. Ryan Fortson, J.D., Legal Studies faculty in the Justice Center, were guest speakers at the 2016 United Youth Courts of Alaska (UYCA) Conference on Friday, April 1. Students from 10 youth courts across the state participated in the training which was held at Alaska Pacific University.Prof. Periman discussed "What Lawyers and Judges Really Do," and Prof. Fortson described the Alaska Youth Law Guide: A Handbook for Teens and Young Adults, an online and PDF resource developed by the Alaska Bar Association Law-Related Education Committee.
Youth courts are a restorative justice alternative to the formal juvenile justice system for middle school and high school students who are minor and first-time offenders. The youth court process is handled entirely by student volunteers who have received special training in informally adjudicating other youth.
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| Prof. Periman (center at podium) talks with students about the role of lawyers and judges. |
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| Prof. Fortson (center at podium) explains the uses for the Alaska Youth Law Guide. |
