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From the George Zimmerman verdict to the ins and outs of sealing a juvenile record, Youth Radio’s Juvenile Justice Desk was hard at work this year. Our reporters stepped into the shoes of a young person with a criminal history trying to find work, and rode along with police officers running a program to give young repeat offenders a shot at gainful employment. Check out some highlights below.
The Complications Of Clearing A Juvenile Record, By Sayre Quevedo
When D was 16 years old, he was convicted of a minor drug offense. Although in some states your juvenile record is automatically sealed when you turn a certain age, others like California — D’s home state — make you apply for it. And there are a lot of steps you have to take.
Young, With A Juvenile Record, Looking For Work, By Ashley Williams
Seventeen-year-old Andrew is filling out a job application for a Jamba Juice in Oakland, Calif. He’s making his way through the basics, filling out his name and contact information. However, question five poses a challenge. It’s a yes or no checkbox which reads, “Have you ever been convicted of a crime?”
Skeptical Youth Sits Face-To-Face With Police Chief, By Joshua Clayton
A one-on-one discussion on how to improve relations between young people and the police. “It was a good feeling, knowing my thoughts reached a man in such a high position.”
Zimmerman Verdict And The Aftermath, By Youth Radio
A compilation of Youth Radio’s coverage of youth response to the not-guilty verdict in the high profile Trayvon Martin shooting case, including reflections on the implications for young people.
No Room To Be A Kid In Oakland, By Joshua Clayton
One young person doesn’t want to be defined by his neighborhood. “Everybody in my neighborhood would always tell me, ‘This is where you’re from,’ ’12th street is your home.’ And lately, that mentality started feeling like a jail. I feel trapped. Like my entire universe is just one block long.”
Youth Radio Podcast: Two Police Officers Offer Gainful Employment In Exchange For the Gang Life, By Sayre Quevedo and Brandon McFarland
Mission Gang Enforcement Officers David Sands and John Cathey, in partnership with city officials and business owners, are offering jobs for teens willing to make the commitment to stay out of the gang life. Youth Radio reporter Sayre Quevedo shares his experience riding with Sands and Cathey as they patrol San Francisco’s Mission District.
Youth Perspectives On Violence
* American Youth Are Far Too Familiar With Gun Violence , By Davina La’Shay
* A “Piece” of Mind, By Jahlil Jackson
* Coming Of Age In The Era Of Oscar Grant And Trayvon Martin, By Myles Bess