Foster children who participate in their court proceedings gain a sense of control and ownership.  They may  better understand the process.  The court gains valuable insight by engaging youth in solving their own problems.

Yesterday I attended a presentation in Lawrence, Kansas by the American Bar Association’s Center on Children and the Law .  Their Youth Empowerment Project tries to involve foster children more actively in their court proceedings.

Courts must consult with foster children according to the federal Child and Family Service Improvement Act of 2006.  In Kansas, foster children are recognized parties in their court proceedings.  Nonetheless, sometimes matters arise in court which could inappropriately disturb young children.

Children are required to attend their juvenile offender hearings.  In custody litigation, children usually do not attend their trials.  Instead, judges use other means to solicit the preferences of children, such as custody evaluations and CASA reports.  Some judges will interview children in private chambers with only the lawyers present.

On November 4 Johnson County, Kansas residents will decide whether to allow politics and money to pollute our courts.  Judges should not be politicians.  They should leave their personal politics at the courthouse steps.  Cases should be decided objectively and fairly on the law and the facts.

Judges should not accept bribes under the guise of campaign contributions.

Yesterday’s Kansas City Star interviewed elected judges in Sedgwick and Wyandotte Counties.  Those judges said that they do their best to remain objective and fair notwithstanding who helped elect them.  I’m sure they try; but, when the chips are down, they want to keep their jobs, just like any politician.

To learn more about this issue, including a message from K.C. Royals’ baseball legend George Brett, check out www.justicenotforsale.org .

Keep our courts free of politics and money.  Vote NO to Johnson County, Kansas Ballot Question #1.