Montgomery County Program Sees Increase in Juvenile Offenders Seeking Second Chances

Montco Courthouse

NORRISTOWN — A restorative justice program that gives young offenders of nonviolent crimes a fresh start saw an increase in enrollment in 2023. Officials believe that’s due to shoplifting by teens who steal expensive products they see celebrities selling on TikTok, according to an annual report released by Montgomery County’s top law enforcement officer.

The district attorney’s Youth Aid Panel program, which was established in 2000, normally had an average of 400 to 500 participants each year. By 2023, that number had risen to 700 youths, according to statistics from District Attorney Kevin R. Steele.

“The increase in referrals to (Youth Aid Panels) is partly due to increased shoplifting by teens. One of the drivers of the rise in shoplifting is social media – such as TikTok – with videos and posts of celebrities and influencers enjoying luxury products, particularly cosmetics and fragrances that most teens cannot afford,” Steele wrote in the annual report.

In addition to shoplifting, youth enrolled in the program also commit other offenses, including vandalism, trespassing, mischief, destruction and minor drug possession, such as vaping marijuana, officials said.

According to Steele statistics, approximately 87% of youth successfully complete the program.

The youths paid $5,372 in restitution last year to those harmed by their crimes. In addition, the youths completed 2,205 hours of community service in 2023.

Under the alternative sentencing program, eligible juvenile offenders who commit minor offenses must follow the recommendations of a local juvenile justice panel to avoid formal charges in the county juvenile court. The program gives juveniles who commit nonviolent offenses a second chance, allowing them to avoid arrest or a juvenile record.

The youth services panels, composed of volunteers, can recommend punishments that include house arrest, restitution, and community service. Panels can check a minor’s school records, monitor curfew compliance, and request reports from parents about a minor’s behavior.

A written resolution is developed that provides consequences for the minor’s action, in the hopes that it will help them make better decisions in the future. Resolutions may include educational support services such as drug and alcohol addiction education, anger management therapy, community service, and restitution.

Each young person’s progress is monitored by an assigned member of the Youth Care Panel.

If a minor does not comply with the panel’s recommendations, police can file formal charges with the juvenile court.

Juveniles are referred by local police departments to a local panel. Local police departments have the authority to decide which juvenile offenders are included in the program.

“This program gives our youth a second chance after committing minor nonviolent offenses and helps them keep their future positive,” Steele said. “They can do this without their past behavior holding them back. At the same time, (the youth services program) reduces the number of cases in juvenile court.”

There are currently 30 Youth Aid Panels across the county, each staffed by trained adult volunteers. In 2023, there were 112 community volunteers on the panels, officials said. Volunteers undergo criminal and child abuse checks before being appointed to the panels.

Since the program began in 2000, nearly 12,000 youths between the ages of 10 and 18 have avoided a criminal record that could prevent them from working, entering college or the military in the future, officials said.