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subject of custody frequently comes as a harsh reality that the children will live with just one of the parents, and often one of the parents moves away. Both parents are investigated before custody is awarded, and often a guardian ad litem, an attorney whose job it is to look out for the child's interests, is appointed. The court also offers extensive mediation services, as some custody cases are very bitterly contested.
“Unlike the general district and circuit courts, we try to change the direction of people. The most satisfactory feeling is to know you have changed someone'slife and given them the opportunity they might not have had,” said Judge Hertz. ]
Sometimes, he said, the kids are put on probation to give them structure that they do not get at home. "The biggest factor why kids come into court is a luck of parenting, structure. Eventually, they can find it (that structure) in court, unfortunately,” he said. He believes that with so many families with two working parents it is hard to have that structure in the home, “it is a very difficult time,” he added.
If the situation warrants it, some juveniles end up being tried as adults in circuit court. Sometimes those who commit v iolent crimes or already have a long criminal records are transferred to the circuit court at the request of the Commonwealth’s Attorney. They must be at least 14 years old. This must be done in order to keep the public safe, said Judge Hertz.
One of the biggest problems in the present juvenile system is that most of the detention centers in the state are already full. Judge Hertz said that earlier this week in
See Hertz, Page A-6
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