Criminal Justice (Crim J) is a new club at Lindbergh High School (LHS), run by Alyssa Shewey and Chrystal Cordero-Roman. Crim J welcomes students to Youth Court, connecting them with the community and a unique experience.
Crim J formed this year after the popularity of the Crim J class taught by Shewey, offered once every other year. The Crim J president is Cordero-Roman, a LHS senior. The club offers a variety of activities, including: meeting Renton Police Department (Renton PD) officers, playing “Clue”, watching “Criminal Minds”, and such.
Youth Court is a program on the second Wednesday every month at Renton City Hall. It allows student drivers facing punishment to get a different sentence. The court is student run with adult supervision. Instead of adult rulings, peers prosecute the offenders.
Most benefit from Youth Court, including the convicted. Students that violated traffic laws can go through the Youth Court program instead of paying a fine or fighting in adult court. Student drivers will also have their tickets dismissed or receive non monetary consequences.
Aarna Nayyar, a freshman at LHS is Crim J’s historian of and attendee of Youth Court. Nayyar is enthusiastic, saying “It’s a great experience, you could put it on job resumes, college resumes… it gives you a lot of experience.” She’d recommend Youth Court to anyone interested in law and crime or who want community service hours.
Youth Court offers many experiences for students, like giving students a look at real courts and judicial systems. They earn service hours for participating or simply watching the trial. If students aren’t interested in law or crime, it’s easy service hours. Additionally, free food and refreshments are provided!
The members of Crim J would be happy to have more participants in Youth Court, Shewey states “It’s a great way to learn more about the criminal justice system and be involved in our community.”
