Senate Unanimously Approves Baker Bill to Bring
Reforms to Juvenile Justice Courts
(HARRISBURG) -- Legislation aimed at preventing further
cases of corruption in county juvenile courts has been unanimously approved
by the state Senate according to Sen. Lisa Baker (R-20), who sponsored the
measure.
"With so many kids adversely
affected, with such casual denial of fundamental constitutional protections,
the Luzerne County situation cannot just be written off as a horrible
aberration," Baker said. "We cannot run the risk that greed, intimidation,
callous disregard of ethics and oaths, and criminal audacity combine to
allow this to happen again."
Baker's measure would
establish an 11-member Interbranch Commission on Juvenile Justice, appointed
by the Chief Justice, General Assembly and Governor, to conduct a thorough
review of juvenile justice procedures, practices, rules and regulations and
pursue remedies and reforms. The goal, she said, is to ensure that children
and families who enter the juvenile justice system are granted fundamental
constitutional protections and that judges are monitored to make sure their
decisions are ethical and correct.
Baker said the commission is
the result of strong cooperation among all three branches of state
government and will not interfere with or duplicate the work of
investigators and the criminal justice system. Rather, it is charged with
finding forward-looking remedies for the wrongs, and restoring public
confidence that there is justice throughout the juvenile justice system.
"To the extent that laws must be changed,
rules revised, proceedings opened up, data more carefully scrutinized, this
commission will put together that case. Legislators will then decide on
changes in law. The courts will decide on rules changes," Baker said.
"By
virtue of how this commission was conceived and how it will be constituted,
we can trust that the end result will be reliable, responsible, and right –
a better-protected, better-run system of juvenile justice."
Floor
Remarks (PDF)
