An editorial “The correct call” goes on to say “James E. Andersok executive director of the Juvenile Court Judges’ Commission, told the commission that, at the very least, juveniles should consult with an attorney before waiving the right to counsel.…
“The state also should open juvenile cases to the public and to reporters except in unusual or extreme circumstances…The media, as has been its custom, would be prohibited from publishing the names of minors. Roughly 30 other states currently open juvenile proceedings to the public.”
WATCHDOG: Three wags of the tail! The merits of the proposals are so self evident that we should all be ashamed that they haven’t always been the practice.
This specific argument was aired in the court of Judge Jeffrey Reich yesterday (domestic relations court).
The judge was considering censuring information from a defendant to keep it from reaching Internet publication. The defendant referenced the constitutional call for transparency and stated his position that it is within his rights to demonstrate the truth by presenting the evidence used against him.
The judge said (paraphrased) This is the place to air out these issues.
The judges then generally add how there are appeals courts and judicial review boards, etc. Unfortunately, as proven by the Luzerne county “Cash for Kids”.