Video: Youth Court Looks To Municipalities To Help With Funding

TUPELO, MISS. (WCBI) – For fourteen years, Judge Charlie Brett has presided over Lee County Youth Court.  During that time, he’s seen more cases but not more cash to handle them.

“We’re learning how to think outside the box and look for grants and alternative sources of funding,” Judge Brett said.

The Tupelo City Council is sending  $60,000 to the youth court.  That will help Judge Brett hire a third intake officer.

Youth Court handles all juvenile cases.  While each city in Lee County has its own court that takes care of all cases involving adults,  all juvenile cases, by law, must go through youth court.  That means whenever a minor is sent to the juvenile detention center, youth court must provide all services.

Tupelo Mayor Jason Shelton says it makes sense for the city to help out.

“While it’s a county function, we’re not just going to ignore the situation, youth court is different and I practiced law for 13 years, while in city court or circuit court, if you wanted to you could turn the cases away, or put some of band aid on it, but state and federal mandates for youth court don’t allow that, every child has to be treated as they’re supposed to be treated,” Mayor Shelton said.

Brett says he hopes other cities in the county will provide funding for youth court.
Also, of the eight most populous counties in the state, Lee County is the county court system with only one youth court judge.