NCSC facilitates juvenile justice workshops in Vietnam
January 31, 2024 -- Earlier this month, NCSC facilitated four juvenile justice workshops in Vietnam titled International Experience in Handling Juvenile Offenders.
A team of four juvenile justice practitioners, judges and court officers from Pennsylvania and Arizona, traveled to Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, Ha Long, and Hanoi to deliver presentations to representatives from Vietnam's Supreme People's Court, National Assembly, and judges from across the country.
NCSC's International Programs Division (IPD) was key in bringing together the team of juvenile justice experts. "Their identification was done in consultation with colleagues in domestic divisions who work on juvenile justice reform in the U.S.," said Senior Program Manager Violaine Autheman. Autheman noted that the visit, organized through and funded by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement, offers an example of internal collaboration between international and domestic divisions, leveraging NCSC's domestic work with state courts.
During the workshops, presenters discussed best practices in juvenile justice developed through decades of work in U.S. state courts, the importance of language and terminology in juvenile justice legislation and court proceedings, and the necessity of separate procedures for juveniles and adults.
Presenters also offered feedback on Vietnam's new draft juvenile justice law. Vietnam is currently experiencing a rise in juvenile delinquency. Like juveniles in the U.S., young people in Vietnam may feel scared and vulnerable and experience negative impacts due to their involvement in the justice system.
The division recently organized workshops for Vietnamese court officers and hosted Vietnamese delegations in the U.S. to discuss juvenile justice systems, diversion programs, legislation, virtual hearings, plea bargaining, and court administration.
Since its founding more than 30 years ago, the international division has worked in over 70 countries to strengthen institutional accountability and responsiveness and expand access to justice by offering technical assistance and training to improve justice systems and services. NCSC is currently working in more than 30 countries.
Visit our website to learn more about the International Programs Division.
Pictured left to right: David Evrard (Deputy Chief Probation Officer, Allegheny County, PA), Judge Michael George (Presiding Judge, Adams County, PA), Violaine Autheman (Sr. Program Manager, IPD, NCSC), Judge Paul Cozza (Juvenile Judge, Allegheny County, PA), Judge Peter Hochuli (Juvenile Judge, Pima County, AZ).
Nominations for the Sandra Day O'Connor Award for the Advancement of Civics Education close Feb. 14
There’s still time to submit a nomination for the 2024 Sandra Day O’Connor Award for the Advancement of Civics Education. Named for the late associate justice of the Supreme Court of the United States, the award recognizes an organization, court, or individual(s) that has promoted, inspired, improved, or led an innovation or accomplishment in the field of civics education relating to the justice system.
Nominations must be made by a member of the Conference of Chief Justices, Conference of State Court Administrators, or NCSC Board of Directors.
Nominations should be submitted via email to Molly Justice by Wednesday, February 14. Visit the NCSC website for more information about the award and nomination process.
ICM Fellows program deadline March 15, info session this Friday
Looking for a way to take your career to the next level? Obtaining the ICM Fellows credential is the ultimate Institute for Court Management achievement, showcasing advanced skills and knowledge in various areas of court administration and leadership.
Applications for the 54th Fellows class, which starts in May, are due by Friday, March 15. A panel discussion with Fellows alumni will be held via Zoom this Friday, February 2 at 3 p.m. ET.
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For more information about admission materials, deadlines, costs, and scholarships, visit ncsc.org/icmfellows.