Taking a different path than the others will always get you noticed.
Pinal Co.’s Juvenile Court Services has done that in their quest to keep kids out of detention & back at home. That philosophy caught the attention of the Az. Supreme Court.
On Oct. 2nd, Arizona’s 5 Supreme Court Judges led by Chief Justice Ruth McGregor took time out of their busy calendar to visit & see what makes Pinal Co. different from the rest.
“It’s a huge honor,” stated Juvenile Court Services Director Diane McGinnis moments before the Justices arrived. “It says a lot about what Pinal Co. & the Courts are doing for children’s justice.”
The Pinal County Youth Justice Center officially opened in February. The 51,500 square foot facility is built to hold 96 beds in 7 pods. It also houses 6 classrooms, a library & 69,000 square feet of recreation space.
“We have the philosophy that we have built a detention center around a school,” Juvenile Court Presiding Judge Gilbert Figueroa said. “We feel the Juvenile Court is the most important court because we can reach these kids early & help to shape their lives in a more positive manner.”
Just after the Justices & their law clerks arrived to the facility, McGinnis, along with Judge Figueroa had a chance to discuss their methodology on dealing with the kids who are in their care.
“We try to get them out & not just house them here, just to house them,” McGinnis said in a crowded reception room. “Currently we have 38 kids in detention, down from 72 who were previously here.”
In addressing the Justices & their Clerks, Judge Figueroa said he has heard officials from other Counties refer to their stints in Juvenile Courts as: “going down to Juvenile Court.” The Presiding Judge firmly said: “we live by the creed that we are ‘up at the Juvenile Court.’”
During his time as the Presiding Judge for the Juvenile Court, Figueroa said he has been honored to hold such a position.
“Most judges want out of the Juvenile Court situation,” the Judge said before a captivated audience. “I am lobbying to be kept on as Presiding Judge.”
Throughout the tour, the Justices remarked how impressed they were at the amount of thought that went into planning & constructing such a facility.
“You can see the effect of the input of the staff in this building,” Chief Justice McGregor said following the tour. “Pinal Co. is in front of a lot of Counties when it comes to juvenile justice.”
After the tour of the Youth Justice Center, the Justices toured the Pinal Co. Courthouse & then went on to Coolidge to hear oral arguments in 2 cases at the Coolidge High School performing arts center.
Pinal Co.’s Juvenile Court Services has done that in their quest to keep kids out of detention & back at home. That philosophy caught the attention of the Az. Supreme Court.
On Oct. 2nd, Arizona’s 5 Supreme Court Judges led by Chief Justice Ruth McGregor took time out of their busy calendar to visit & see what makes Pinal Co. different from the rest.
“It’s a huge honor,” stated Juvenile Court Services Director Diane McGinnis moments before the Justices arrived. “It says a lot about what Pinal Co. & the Courts are doing for children’s justice.”
The Pinal County Youth Justice Center officially opened in February. The 51,500 square foot facility is built to hold 96 beds in 7 pods. It also houses 6 classrooms, a library & 69,000 square feet of recreation space.
“We have the philosophy that we have built a detention center around a school,” Juvenile Court Presiding Judge Gilbert Figueroa said. “We feel the Juvenile Court is the most important court because we can reach these kids early & help to shape their lives in a more positive manner.”
Just after the Justices & their law clerks arrived to the facility, McGinnis, along with Judge Figueroa had a chance to discuss their methodology on dealing with the kids who are in their care.
“We try to get them out & not just house them here, just to house them,” McGinnis said in a crowded reception room. “Currently we have 38 kids in detention, down from 72 who were previously here.”
In addressing the Justices & their Clerks, Judge Figueroa said he has heard officials from other Counties refer to their stints in Juvenile Courts as: “going down to Juvenile Court.” The Presiding Judge firmly said: “we live by the creed that we are ‘up at the Juvenile Court.’”
During his time as the Presiding Judge for the Juvenile Court, Figueroa said he has been honored to hold such a position.
“Most judges want out of the Juvenile Court situation,” the Judge said before a captivated audience. “I am lobbying to be kept on as Presiding Judge.”
Throughout the tour, the Justices remarked how impressed they were at the amount of thought that went into planning & constructing such a facility.
“You can see the effect of the input of the staff in this building,” Chief Justice McGregor said following the tour. “Pinal Co. is in front of a lot of Counties when it comes to juvenile justice.”
After the tour of the Youth Justice Center, the Justices toured the Pinal Co. Courthouse & then went on to Coolidge to hear oral arguments in 2 cases at the Coolidge High School performing arts center.