Career CornerYouth court can provide a great learning opportunity for youth who are interested in having a career in a criminal and juvenile justice-related field. Periodically, we post interviews with professionals currently working in various careers related to criminal and juvenile justice. These interviews are meant to provide you guidance and give you additional information about possible career opportunities. Each interview provides information describing the educational requirements for the position, skills that can be learned in youth court that can assist you in the featured career, and personal advice on what you can do if you are interested in pursuing the featured career option. The opinions offered in the interviews are those of the person(s) being interviewed.
Job Title:School Resource OfficerPerson Interviewed: Sherrie Free Sherrie Free is a school resource officer with the Ware Shoals Police Department in South Carolina. She is a youth court coordinator as well as a school resource officer. A big congratulation goes out to Sherrie on April 8, 2004 she received the prestigious award of South Carolina’s School Resource Officer of the Year. How long have you been a School Resource Officer? What is the difference between being a School Resource Officer and a Police Officer? Does being a School Resource Officer require a college degree? Is an advanced degree or training required? Are there any other requirements to being a School Resource Officer? When you were in high school did you know you wanted to be a School Resource Officer? If not, what did you want to do? What led you down this career path? What was your first job outside of training? How did you obtain a job as a School Resource Officer? What three things do you like most about your job? What three things do you like least about your job?
What has been your greatest accomplishment while being a School Resource Officer? Describe a typical workday. What advice would you give young people who have an interest in becoming a School Resource Officer? What skills do you think youth volunteers can learn from their involvement in youth court? What aspects of your work experience have prepared you for this job? Are you involved in any civic organizations or activities? What is Crimes Night Out? Job Title: Forensic Social WorkPerson Interviewed: Angela Tucker Angela Tucker is a forensic social worker for the Bluegrass Regional Mental Health and Retardation Board located in Lexington, KY. She has been with the unit of Forensic Social Work for two years, which is an affiliate of the local mental health center. Ms. Tucker how long have you been a social worker? What is the difference between being a social worker and being a forensic social worker? Does being a forensic social worker require a college degree? Is an advanced degree required? Are there any other requirements to be a forensic social worker? Do you have to have any other kind of training, continuing education, or certification? When you were in high school did you know that you wanted to be a social worker? What was your starting job as a social worker? How many other jobs have you had to get you to where you are now? After receiving my clinical license (LCSW ) I worked for the US Army for five years; and I began my job as a forensic social worker two years ago. How did you become interested in forensic social work? How do you obtain a job as a forensic social worker? Is your job an elected position? What three things do you like most about your job? It allows me to try to help people who need help. It allows me to keep my skills current in the counseling field. What three things do you like the least about your job?
What does a typical day look like for you? What advice would you give to young people who wanted to be a forensic social worker? What skills do you feel youth volunteers could learn from their involvement with youth court? Job Title: AttorneyPerson Interviewed: Donna Long Donna Long is an attorney practicing in North Central Kansas; she is a partner in the law firm of Swenson, Vernon, Retter, Uri, Brewer, and Long, Chartered. Mrs. Long has been with the law firm since 1987. Mrs. Long, as an attorney in North Central Kansas what do you do? How long have you been an attorney? Does being an attorney require a college degree? Yes, a college degree is required; I have an undergraduate degree in education. But, not only do you have to have a degree you also have to have a graduate law degree. The law degree is called a Jurist Doctorate. Are there any other requirements to be an attorney? Do you have to have any other kind of training, continuing education, or certification? If so, what? When you were in high school did you know that you wanted to be an attorney? Is that why you have a degree in education? How many other jobs have you had to get you to where you are now? What three things do you like most about being an attorney?
How would you define Justice? What three things do you like the least about your job? It is frustrating in that you see the same people repeating offenses over and over again. People, both criminal and civil clients, can be downright nasty to work with sometimes. What does a typical day look like for you? What was your starting job as an attorney? Did you advance from one job to another? What skills did you learn through involvement in extra curricular activities or youth organizations that you currently use in your career? What advice would you give to young people who wanted to be an attorney? What skills do you feel youth volunteers could learn from their involvement with youth court? Job Title: Juvenile Detention Facility DirectorPerson Interviewed: Lawrence Hicks Mr. Hicks has been the Director of the Oklahoma County Juvenile Detention Facility, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma since 1998. Mr. Hicks as the Director of the Oklahoma County Juvenile Detention Facility what do you actually do? Does being the director of a detention center require a college degree? If so, what type of a degree do you have? Did you know in high school or college what career you wanted to pursue? If you were trained to teach business how did your career interest change from business to criminal justice? How many other jobs have you held to get you to where you are now? As a juvenile detention facility director, are you required to have any other kind of training, continuing education, or certification? If so what? What three things do you like most about your job? I like developing programs that will meet the needs of the juveniles that we serve. I like the interaction with governmental and community leaders and making sure the facility meets the needs of the community. What three things do you like the least about your job?
What does a typical day look like for you? What skills did you learn through involvement in extra curricular activities or youth organizations that you currently use in your career? What advice would you give to young people who wanted to be a parole officer or involved in the criminal justice system? What skills do you feel youth volunteers could learn from their involvement with youth court? Job Title: {bcanchor:Probation_Officer,Probation OfficerPerson Interviewed: Melissa Callahan Melissa Callahan is a probation officer working in the District Probation Office located in Marietta, Georgia. Ms. Callahan has been a probation officer for over 20 years. Ms. Callahan, as a probation officer in Marietta, Georgia what do you do? I manage a caseload of adult felony offenders who are sentenced by the Superior Court of Georgia and I monitor their compliance with conditions of probation as ordered by the court. How old are the offenders that you supervise and what types of offenses did they commit? I supervise adult offenders from age 17 and up. The offenses they were convicted of were felony offenses, or offenses that would require a sentence of one or more years in the state penitentiary. Typical offenses would include, but not be limited to: theft, burglary, possession or sale of drugs, assault, domestic violence, and alcohol related offenses. Did you know in high school that you wanted to be a probation officer? No, in fact I didn’t even know what a probation officer was in high school. When you started college, did you know what you wanted to do? Yes, I was a psychology major and wanted to go to graduate school to pursue a degree in psychological testing. How did your plans change? Before I could start graduate school I needed to get a job and I took an entry-level position with the court system in their pre-trial program and worked ended up working there for 7 yrs. We moved to South Georgia and I looked for a job in the court system but they didn’t have a pre-trial program. I was able to obtain a job as a probation officer. I have now been a probation officer for over 20 years. Does your job as a probation officer require a college degree? Yes, a degree is required and it is suggested that the degree be in criminal justice, sociology, psychology or social work. Is an advanced or graduate degree required? No, graduate degrees in specific area of interest, such as counseling, addiction, or the administration of justice may be beneficial for advancement but they are not required. Does your job require any other kind of training, continuing education, or certification? Yes, In Georgia, each person hired must complete a 4 week Basic Probation Officer Training during their first year of employment and be firearm certified. Each following year probation officers must complete a minimum of 20 hours in-service and qualify for firearms. What three things do you like most about your job? I get to work with various types of people from all socio-economic levels, Seeing the working of the court system, working with judges, attorneys My day-to-day activities are always changing. What three things do you like the least about your job? Paperwork Drug testing Uncooperative clients What does a typical day look like for you? There is not a typical day. Each day varies. Some days I may attend court, or have report days, I may write reports, prepare case plans, or conduct field visits and contact probationers at their home, employment, or in jail. What skills did you learn through involvement in extra curricular activities or youth organizations that you currently use in your career? I was Editor of yearbook in high school and college. This helped me learn to work with a group of people towards a common goal, writing and editing skills, and was a leadership opportunity. I also belonged to service clubs because my parents instilled in me that is was important to give back to your community. What advice would you give to young people who wanted to be a probation officer? Do not violate the criminal laws of any governmental unit. Criminal convictions are permanent and you cannot be hired as a probation officer with a criminal history. You should be aware of the consequences of your behavior. The consequences of your behavior and the behavior of the people you associate with will follow you. In college – take classes related to criminal justice, psychology, and sociology. If possible serve as an intern in a probation office to see what a probation officer does to determine if that is what you want to do. What skills could be learned from being involved in youth court that could assist you as a probation officer? Learning how the justice system works, why it is important to hold people accountable for their behavior, and the importance of repairing the harm to victims of crime. Job Title: {bcanchor:United_States_Attorney,United States AttorneyPerson Interviewed: John G. Duncan John Duncan is the Executive Assistant United States Attorney for the Northern District of New York and located in Syracuse, New York How long have you been a US Attorney? Sixteen years. I started in February of 1988. What is the difference between being a U. S. Attorney and being a regular attorney? A private attorney usually represents individual clients in civil or criminal actions. As United States Attorneys, or federal prosecutors, as we are sometimes called, we are employees of the U.S. Department of Justice. In this position we are responsible for the investigation and prosecution of individuals and organizations who commit federal crimes. We also have Assistant U.S. Attorneys who represent the United States government in a wide variety of civil litigation. Do you work in a specialized area? I work exclusively in the criminal area. Federal criminal cases encompass a wide variety of offenses including drugs, firearms, bank fraud, counterfeiting, alien smuggling, and organized crime to name just a few. Since 9-11, federal prosecutors are also involved in identifying and prosecuting offenses involving terrorism. How is someone selected to become a U.S. Attorney? In each of the 94 federal districts there is one United States Attorney who is appointed by the President and serves under the Attorney General. The United States Attorney is the chief federal law enforcement officer in each federal district. The U. S. Attorney is supported by a number of Assistant U.S. Attorneys in each office. How are Assistant U.S. Attorneys selected? Lawyers who want to become federal prosecutors apply directly to U.S. Attorney’s offices located in each state or to the U.S. Department of Justice in Washington, D.C. Most offices have selection committees that examine the academic background and experience of the attorneys who apply and make hiring recommendations to the U.S. Attorney. Does being an attorney require a college degree? Yes, a college degree and a law degree. Where did you go to college and what type of a degree do you have? I graduated from the State University of New York in Buffalo. I received a Bachelor of Science in Economics. I also hold a Juris Doctor from the Syracuse University College of Law. Are there any other requirements to be an attorney? Yes. To be a licensed attorney in any state you must also pass a state bar exam. Each state also has a character committee. In addition to passing the state bar exam you must also be determined to be a person of good character. If a person passes a bar exam but has a past criminal conviction, say for possession of drugs, they may be determined not to be a person of good character and not allowed to practice law. Are there any additional requirements to be an Assistant United States Attorney? To qualify as a federal prosecutor, you must pass a background check conducted by FBI. In general, the U.S. Department of Justice seeks out lawyers who have an excellent academic background, some legal experience, and are interested in trying cases. Frequently state prosecutors with criminal trial experience, like myself, apply to become Assistant U.S. Attorneys. When you were in high school did you know that you wanted to be an attorney? No, I thought I wanted to be an electrical engineer. I had done very well in math and science and had an interest in engineering. I took a number of engineering courses, but decided that I did not really want to pursue engineering as a career. I switched my major to economics and found it to be very interesting and intellectually challenging. While in college, a family friend, who was a lawyer, hired me to work part-time in his law office during the summer. I enjoyed this experience so much I decided to pursue law school after getting my undergraduate degree. After graduating from college, I first enlisted in the U.S. Army. After completing my military service, I entered law school using the GI bill to pay for part of my law school education. I don’t think I would have gotten through law school without it. How many other jobs have you had to get you to where you are now? I was in private practice for 3 years doing both civil and criminal legal work. Then I joined the local district attorneys office so I could get more trial experience. I spent the next ten years trying a large number of criminal cases. In 1988, I left as Chief Assistant District Attorney for Onondaga County, New York and joined the U.S. Attorney’s Office. What does a typical day look like for you? It is different every day, which makes it interesting. Many of us work on investigations with the DEA, FBI, ATF, Secret Service, or other federal investigators. Other days we will be responding to written motions that are filed with the district court or have witnesses testify before the grand jury. At other times we are preparing for trial or actually in trial. I also enjoy spending some of my time working with community-based prevention programs such as youth court. What three things do you like most about your job? Each criminal case always presents new challenges – no two cases are ever alike. I like getting into the courtroom to try cases, and I like working in the crime prevention area. What three things do you like the least about your job? I really don’t have anything significant that I dislike about my job. That is what is great about it. What skills did you learn through involvement in extra curricular activities or youth organizations (school, church, or youth groups) that you currently use in your career? In college, I joined the debate club to develop my speaking abilities. In law school, I became chair of the Moot Court Board where I further developed my ability to not only speak, but also think on my feet. What advice would you give to young people who wanted to be an attorney? Read a lot, learn to write well, develop good oral communication skills, and take courses that allow you to analyze issues. What skills do you feel youth volunteers could learn from their involvement with youth court? They definitely learn how to assess facts and make knowledgeable and persuasive arguments to the jury. This is an excellent skill to develop whether you go into the law or any other career. Job Title: {bcanchor:Superintendent_of_Security_Operations,Superintendent of Security OperationsPerson Interviewed: Gary Dodson Gary Dodson is the Superintendent of Security Operations for the Tualatin Hills Park and Recreation District located in Beaverton, Oregon. How long have you been the Superintendent of Security Operations? Fourteen months, I started in January of 2003 after retiring as a Lieutenant with 27 years of service with the Beaverton Police Department in Beaverton, Oregon. What were your responsibilities with the Beaverton Police Dept? I started working as a patrol officer, I was also a field training officer, assigned to the Street Crimes unit, DARE officer, School Resource officer, K-9 handler, assigned to the Community Policing unit. I supervised and eventually managed the Community Policing unit for the police department. While in that position I oversaw and was responsible for recruitment/hiring, training division, volunteer program, police reserve and cadet programs, and was coordinator of the department’s youth-peer court. How can someone become a law enforcement officer? Qualifications and standards related to age and education are set by each individual agency in every state. Generally a person must be 21 years of age with at least a high school education and in some circumstances 2 – 4 years of college is required. You must be able to pass a background investigation, physical agility test, and a psychological evaluation. Does being a law enforcement officer require a college degree? Not all law enforcement agencies require a degree to begin service. However, special assignments and promotions within a law enforcement agency may have requirements and prerequisites for a specific time in service, additional training, specific assignment requirements, and in some cases more formal education. Where did you go to college and what type of a degree do you have? I went to Oregon State University and majored in Physical Education. I left school to go into the military. After the returning from the service, I went to Portland Community College and received my AA degree in Criminal Justice. Currently I am a few hours short of receiving my BS degree in political science. Did you have a degree before you became a law enforcement officer? No, when I originally started only a high school education was required. It took me 13 years before I actually completed my AA degree. However by today’s standards at the Beaverton Police Department I would have been required to have at least 90 credit hours before being hired. When you were in high school did you know that you wanted to be a law enforcement officer? No, I wanted to be a coach and a physical education teacher. I started college after graduating from high school. The summer between my freshman and sophomore year of college I was a baseball coach for the park district. The fathers of two of my players were police officers and invited me on a “ride-along” and I was hooked after that. The thing that I found most interesting about police work was that not one day was ever going to be the same and you never knew what was going to happen, or what you would be dealing with. If you started college after high school why didn’t you finish your degree? I became dissatisfied with college and because of my interest in law enforcement I went to work for the Beaverton Police Department as a dispatcher. Because I was no longer in school, I lost my draft deferment and was called into military service. How many other jobs have you had to get you to where you are now? 1971 - 1972 dispatcher for Beaverton Police Department, Beaverton, OR 1973 – 1976 U.S. Army 1976 – 1978 Hillsboro Police Department, Hillsboro, OR 1978 - 2003 Beaverton Police Department, Beaverton, OR 2003 – Present Superintendent of Security Operations for the Tualatin Hills Park and Recreation District and located in Beaverton, Oregon. What does a typical day as a law enforcement officer look like? It depends upon your assignment; you never know what you were going to get involved with that day, or what was going to happen. You responded as necessary depending upon the activity you were working. What three things do you like most about your job? Not knowing what to expert. It was never boring, the excitement of each day. The opportunity to protect and serve the community you live in. Knowing that the things that you did, no matter how small, could make a difference in someone’s life. What three things do you like the least about your job? Sometimes, the hours and working holidays. The effect that the job can have on your family. When I would go to court for a trial, I would sometimes feel that I was the person on trial and not the person who had committed the crime. What skills did you learn through involvement in extra curricular activities or youth organizations (school, church, or youth groups) that you currently use in your career? The discipline in athletics and sports taught me how to become a team player. Communication with youth and adults alike, and how to be a good listener. Your word had to be gold; if you told someone you were going to do something you needed to do it. What advice would you give to young people who wanted to be a law enforcement officer? I would tell them that they should get a college education, learn a second language, and realize that being a law enforcement officer is not necessarily what it is depicted like on TV and in the movies. There are many areas of law enforcement on the federal, state and local level that you need to look at and find an area that interests you. What skills do you feel youth volunteers could learn from their involvement with youth court? Youth volunteers understand the judicial process; they learn to use personal skills such as communication, listening, and understanding; and they learn accountability, responsibility, and consequences for actions. Job Title : {bcanchor:Judge,JudgePerson Interviewed: Frank Sullivan Judge Sullivan is an appointed specialty court judge for the 8th Judicial District Court, Family Division, Clark County, Nevada. Judge Sullivan’s court is located in Las Vegas and focuses on juvenile and domestic violence issues. Judge Sullivan how long have you been a judge? 4 years, I was appointed as the judge for the juvenile and domestic specialty court in December of 2000. Does being a judge require a college degree? If so what type of a degree do you have? Yes, being a judge requires a degree and a law degree. Where did you go to college? I attended North East Illinois University and I completed an undergraduate degree for teaching 1975. You taught before becoming an attorney? Yes, I taught high school civics or government. When you were in high school did you know that you wanted to be an attorney or a judge? Absolutely not. I had no interest in law or being a judge – I always wanted to be a teacher. How did you go from being a teacher to an attorney? I was a school teacher for 10 years in Chicago. I went into school administration and was even a principal. I had a family of six, and decided that teachers and administrators are not paid enough so for financial reasons I started to look at different options for a career. I didn’t want to be a doctor because I didn’t like the sight of blood, and I didn’t want to be a dentist because I didn’t want to put my hands into other people’s mouths. I was good with my ability to speak and I decided to become a lawyer. Because I still like to teach, I teach a class in law at the University of Las Vegas, UNLV. Does being a judge require an advanced degree? Yes, I completed my Jurist Doctorate from DePaul University, Chicago Illinois in 1984. Are there any other requirements to be a judge? Do you have to have any other kind of training, continuing education, or certification. If so, what? Yes, you have to pass the bar examination and be a member in good standing in the bar, maintain your bar license, complete 12 hours of continuing education each year, plus a course in ethics. What was your starting job as an attorney? While I was in law school, I was a law clerk. After passing the bar I went into partnership with a private practitioner. How many other jobs have you had to get you to where you are now? What were they? After being a partner in a small firm, I was a deputy attorney general for the state of Nevada. I represented the state in cases that involved abused, neglected and abandoned children. Following being in the attorney general’s office I was in-house counsel for a corporate firm for 10 years. Because of my experience with cases that involved abused and neglected children I also served part-time as a judge protem (temporary judge) for the juvenile drug court. How do you obtain a job as a judge? Is your job an elected position? In 1995 I was asked to be a part-time judge in abuse and neglect cases and in December of 2000, I was appointed by the Clark County Commissioners as a full time judge for the domestic violence and juvenile court. Other judges in Clark County are elected, but because I am a judge for a specialty court, I was appointed. What three things do you like most about being a judge? Providing assistance to victims of domestic violence and child abuse Helping provide services to youth overcome problems within the juvenile system Playing a leadership role in the community; and improving the lives of the families in Clark County What three things do you like the least about being a judge? The emotional drain caused by working with cases involving child abuse, neglect, and domestic violence. The extremely heavy workload. I will see almost 5800 cases this year alone, resulting in very long work days of 10 – 12 hours per day. I can become jaded - I don’t see the good students; I always see people at their worst. What does a typical day look like for you? I start the day reviewing the paperwork that is filed every day for the court. I then prepare for the afternoon calendar in court by the reviewing the court cases that will be heard. I preside over the court calendar and proceedings which takes 4-5 hours. After hours duties include hearings for people arrested for domestic violence cases after 5:00 p.m., and emergency night duty for any arrest at night. What skills or abilities that you use now in your daily life did you learn through involvement in extra curricular activities or youth organizations (school, church, or youth groups) that you currently use in your career? I learned how to initiate interest in an issue – through public speaking, how to create interest in a particular area. I learned how to take a leadership role, run a group, use organizational skills, and how to use conflict resolution skills to reach a consensus with a group. The only way you can learn that is in extra curricular activities. What advice would you give to young people who want to be a judge? Learn communication skills, in both writing and speaking. As a judge, you need to communicate why you are making the decision. You need to be comfortable with public speaking. Take courses in organization, any training in business the way you structure your organization. As a judge you work with bailiffs, clerks, attorneys, you have dockets of cases, case files, and you need organization. What skills do you feel youth volunteers could learn from their involvement with youth court that would help them in a future career? Self confidence – kids develop from being shy, whether they are in the jury or an attorney Responsibility – they learn to be on time and be prepared for their case Accountability – consequences for conduct Community Involvement – they learn to be productive member of society |