The Courtroom is Public Property
Why volunteer to monitor in the Juvenile Courts?
As Associate Supreme Court Justice Louis Brandeis once said, "Sunshine is said to be the best of disinfectant; electric light the most efficient policeman." Volunteer courtroom observation is one way you can engage in civic duty just by attending court and completing a brief observational survey.
Throughout the country, the operations of the juvenile court are cloaked in secrecy. In many jurisdictions, it is not possible for members of the public to observe in the courtroom or even view the petitions, pleadings or motions. Parties to juvenile cases have no right to a jury trial. Many of the people called to juvenile court are poor, and most are completely reliant upon the overworked public defenders offices. Juvenile court caseload continues to grow at a breathtaking pace.
But Nebraska is different. Our Juvenile Courts are open to the public, and our commitment to transparency affords us a unique opportunity. Your commitment to serve is one way for you to engage in information gathering about the operations of the juvenile court. Join us. Training starts soon!
