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New judge eliminates diversion as option
(by Joseph Koziol Jr. - November 03, 2011)
New judge eliminates diversion as option
By JOSEPH KOZIOL JR.
Newly appointed Geauga County Juvenile Court Judge Timothy Grendell is putting his mark on the post just two months into the job.
Mr. Grendell announced last week that his court will be implementing a zero tolerance policy for juvenile drug and alcohol offenses.
A diversionary program that had been available to some offenders will no longer be employed, Mr. Grendell said.
"Effective immediately, any matters involving the use, possession or sale of drugs or alcohol will be filed as official complaints in the Geauga County Juvenile Court," Mr. Grendell wrote in a press release Oct. 24. "Diversion will no longer be an option in these cases."
The diversionary program, he said, had been made available to offenders that registered under 0.04 percent on the blood-alcohol tests, Mr. Grendell said. Those who underwent diversionary programs for such offenses had no formal criminal record for their actions, he said.
Now, Mr. Grendell said, he is imposing zero tolerance for such offenders, and no diversionary programs will be made available. All cases will be brought before him on juvenile delinquency charges.
"Judge Grendell intends to strictly apply the law in juvenile drug and alcohol cases and plans to provide education-awareness and intervention simultaneously," the release stated.
Mr. Grendell said the change is needed because of the ramifications often associated with juvenile drinking and drug abuse.
"According to recent studies, juveniles that drink in their early teens are four times more likely to become addicted to alcohol than those who wait until they are 21," Mr. Grendell said.
He said there also has been a rise in the number of cases involving drugs and alcohol. In 2010, he said, drug and alcohol charges increased by 11 percent.
Also, he said, it is one of the most common offenses heard by the court. "Drug and alcohol charges have been the most common charge filed in the Geauga County Juvenile Court for 16 out of the last 18 years," he said.
One of the most recent cases, he said, involved two 13-year-olds who registered 0.2 percent on their blood-alcohol tests.
He said the new policy is likely to have a positive effect on concerns raised with young people drinking and driving as well.
He said he does not anticipate that the new approach would cost taxpayers any more money, because there are times when the diversionary programs involve longer periods of involvement by the youths than the court process, depending on the case.
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