February 11, 2009
The Pennsylvania Supreme Court granted JLC’s application for extraordinary relief for juveniles in Luzerne County and appointed a special master, Judge Arthur Grim of Berks County Court of Common Pleas, to investigate the violations of children’s rights and return to the Supreme Court with recommendations for relief. Read the PA Supreme Court's Order.
The Court declared that its goal “is to determine whether the alleged travesty of juvenile justice in Luzerne County occurred, and if it did, to identify the affected juveniles and rectify the situation as fairly and swiftly as possible.”
“This is heartening news for youth and families in Luzerne County,” said Marsha Levick, Juvenile Law Center’s Legal Director. “We applaud the Supreme Court for extending to the Special Master broad discretion to remedy the harms caused by these judges. We look forward to working with Judge Grim to make sure that justice is done for the thousands of juveniles who are affected.”
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