By Paige Youmans

Lexington County has a multitude of resources and organizations that provide mental, physical, nutritional, legal, financial, and educational opportunities for disadvantaged residents. Such programs not only benefit the receiver, but the volunteer as well. Our Town Magazine was excited to learn more about the Community Juvenile/Youth Arbitration Program so that we could share the steps of how to become a volunteer. The program began in the 11th Judicial Circuit in 1983 by former Lexington County Solicitor, Donnie Myers. This program introduced and integrated the community to youth crime intervention and prevention by offering first time, nonviolent youthful offenders an alternative path instead of facing formal prosecution of a charged offense. The rapid, consistent and favorable results of this program caught the attention of the other county solicitors, eventually expanding to all 16 South Carolina circuits. Since the program’s inception to date, thousands of young people statewide have received services, completed the program, made amends for their criminal activity, and avoided incarceration.

This arbitration program seeks to divert youthful offenders from the juvenile justice system by offering common-sense solutions to address offenses in a collaborative effort. This is achieved by communication and interactions between the arbitrator (a trained volunteer), the young offender (a willing student), the offender’s parents/guardians, the arresting officer, and if required, the victim. Directed and mediated by the arbitrator, the group develops a 90-day course of action to address the restorative justice goals of the program: accountability of the offender, learning opportunities to redirect the offender, and active community participation in reinforcing local public safety.

Lexington County Solicitor Rick Hubbard and Juvenile Arbitration Program Director Debbie Hester took time out of their busy schedules to discuss the success of the program and the urgent need for community volunteers. Noting that the program has seen a 90% success rate, Solicitor Hubbard highlighted that the program is “unique because of all diversion programs, this is truly a grass root effort.” Hubbard expressed that the program helps transition youth from “lost to productive.” It is very effective, thanks to the community’s volunteer arbitrators who are “committed to saving our kids”.

This three-pronged approach requires sanctions, which are the actions the offender must complete as part of the reparations. These sanctions can be physical in nature, such as working for a local charity or cleaning roadways and public areas. Other sanctions may include restitution paid to the victim or educational sanctions such as writing an essay or an apology letter. Classes including life skills, anger management, and drug and alcohol classes can be assigned by the arbitrator if the offense is relatable. Of course, DJJ and jailhouse tours are also widely utilized, depending on the age of offender. Including the victim in the collaboration and discussion of the sanctions allows the offender to listen intently to the victim one-on-one and to understand the physical and emotional injustices that their crime caused.

Explaining more specifics about the program, Director Hester noted that the arbitration plan is usually very intense because of the time limitations as well as coordinating additional and supplemental services that the youth may require, such as family counseling and mental health treatments. As Director, Hester has enrolled youthful offenders and often their families, into classes with Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) and Smoke Free America. Additional organizations participating as sanction opportunities or service-providers include: Keep Midlands Beautiful, Crooked Creek Park, Jamil Temple, Mission Lexington, Saluda County, Pleasant Hill Baptist Church, Sweep Lake Murray, Lexington law enforcement and firefighters, and USC School of Art. Having the offenders participate in these programs meets the educational portion of the program, but the jailhouse tours seem to provide the most impactful deterrent for the offenders. During her time with the program, Hester has seen dynamically changed lives in accountability and confidence.

One volunteer who served under Director Kathtyn Barton fondly recounted how working with the young offenders reinforced her support of the program. In one instance she was an arbitrator for a young man who had imposed sanctions at a hearing, which had an emotional impact on the individual. Once the sanctions were completed, the case was successfully closed and the arbitrator no longer communicated with the juvenile. However, she states that recently she was approached by this same young man; he told her the positive changes he made with his life and how he is grateful for the program.

The continued success of the Lexington County Juvenile Arbitration Program relies on securing more community volunteers to serve as arbitrators as well as organizations willing to partner to serve for sanctions or services. Hester noted that the office is currently accepting applications for arbitrators. To be eligible the applicant must be at least 21 years old, a high school graduate, pass a background check, and provide three references. Upon acceptance applicants attend 21 hours of specialized training provided by the Lexington County Solicitor’s Office on September 5th and 12th.

Balancing justice with mercy epitomizes this program and the mission of the participants and leaders, guaranteeing a huge rate of success. The staff at Our Town Magazine encourages everyone to step up and get involved. Being a volunteer truly blesses your community, provides opportunities for residents and leads to a heart of servanthood. The young man above is proof that one person can truly make a difference.

Juvenile Arbitration Program Office:

Debbie R. Hester

205 East Main Street, Suite 105 Lexington, South Carolina 29072

803-785-8142

11th Judicial Circuit

Solicitor’s Office

Marc H. Westbrook Judicial Center 205 East Main Street, Suite 309 Lexington, South Carolina 29072

803-785-8352

GIVING BACK SPONSORED BY SKILLS2NV.COM