Referrals
Generally, youthful
offenders are referred to the local district justice or to the juvenile
court system for disposition. The YAP is a diversion program that
creates the option for a juvenile offender to stay within their own
community to resolve their wrong doing. The program is voluntary and the
youth must admit to the offense to be eligible for referral. Both the
parent and the youth need to agree to be in the program.
Limitations
The panel is not a court of law and does not determine guilt or
innocence. Guilt is admitted by the juvenile. The youth and parents must
agree to guilt and accept the Youth Aid Panel as an alternative to
resolving the problems. At any time during the panel process, the youth
or his/her parents may choose to dismiss themselves from the program and
enter into the juvenile court system. Due process protection is a high
priority.