Search results matching tags 'Jo Anne Bernal' and 'Juvenile'

“Project Future” Interns Complete Intensive Training Program at El Paso County Offices

edominguez — Thu, 26 Jul 2012 21:36:00 GMT

On Friday July 27, 2012, El Paso County will host a graduation ceremony for 13 young adults who participated in this year's "Project FUTURE" internship program.

The program was created at the beginning of the year by the El Paso Women's Bar Association to assist "aged-out" foster care youth get their futures on a path to success.

"Aged-out" foster care youth are young adults who leave the managing conservatorship of DFPS/foster care system at the age of 18 (or later under certain circumstances) and are not adopted or returned to their parents. These youth face the challenges of work, higher education and daily life without a support system. Lacking a stable support system and being ill- equipped to face the challenges of independent living, these youth face a higher risk of incarceration, homelessness, unemployment, domestic violence, teen pregnancy, poverty, mental illness, and substance abuse.

A key component of "Project FUTURE" is an internship program in law-related County offices. The program seeks to provide not only a great work experience but also to expose the youth to positive and stable influences in order to assist them in developing a goal-oriented perspective with respect to their future.

This summer 13 former foster care youths were selected to participate in the 6-week paid internships. They were assigned to the following County departments:

County Attorney's Office
District Attorney's Office
County Clerk's Office
District Clerk's Office
Human Resources Department
65th District Court
327th District Court
120th District Court
Mental Health Support Services

Interns will be honored for their participation in the program with a Completion Ceremony from 12:00-1:00 on the 3rd Floor gallery, behind the elevators (near CASA).

WHO: Project FUTURE Interns

WHAT: Graduation ceremony for the internship program

WHEN: Friday July 27, 2012 at 12:00 p.m.

WHERE: El Paso County Courthouse, 3^rd floor gallery 500 E. San Antonio

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Project Future Graduation Press Release.pdf

First Attendance Summit To Address Truancy Problems At Local Schools

edominguez — Thu, 14 Jun 2012 21:32:00 GMT

In an effort to fight truancy in El Paso schools and its underlying impact in juvenile delinquency, today the El Paso County Anti-Truancy Task Force is hosting its first Attendance Summit. The summit brings together school administrators and other educators from all school districts in the county to analyze and seek solutions to improving student attendance in El Paso schools. In addition to discussing attendance concerns and truancy issues, summit attendees will learn about truancy court procedures, juvenile delinquency in El Paso, and juvenile diversion programs. More than 400 stakeholders from the El Paso, Ysleta, Socorro, Anthony, Fabens, San Elizario and Tornillo Independent School Districts are expected to participate.

The event will feature Dr. Berk, a licensed psychologist and expert in working with children, adolescents, and families. Also featured is attorney Jose Martin, partner with the school law firm of Richards and Lindsay & Martin in Austin, Texas. Mr. Martin’s practice focuses exclusively on disabilities issues and litigation affecting the schools, including special education. Sessions will also be conducted by the County and District Attorney’s offices regarding truancy court procedures, juvenile delinquency in El Paso.

Y.I.S.D. Associate Superintendent Dr. Pauline Dow explained this summit is important because “it has the potential for increasing student attendance through a unified county-wide approach, and significantly lowering the incidences of truancy.” El Paso County Attorney Jo Anne Bernal said fighting truancy is important because it can have an impact in the well-being of the community. “It has been demonstrated that truancy is one of the early-warning signs that youths potentially are headed for delinquent activity or social isolation,” Bernal said. The 2012 Attendance Summit is taking place today from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Ysleta I.S.D. Central Offices Atrium, 9600 Sims Drive. For more information, please contact YISD Associate Superintendent Dr. Pauline Dow, at (915) 203-3498. WHO: El Paso County Anti-Truancy Task ForceWHAT: 2012 Attendance SummitWHEN: Thursday June 14, 2012, 7:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.WHERE: YISD Central Offices Atrium9600 Sims Drive, El Paso, TX 79925 # # #

Anti-Truancy Summit Press Release.pdf

Inauguration Of The New Juvenile Diversion E.M.P.O.W.E.R. Program

edominguez — Wed, 09 May 2012 21:39:00 GMT

On Wednesday May 9, 2012, the Juvenile Probation Department will be launching its new E.M.P.O.W.E.R. program (Encouraging More Positive Opportunities With Empathy and Respect), which will focus on diverting juvenile cases involving minors with mental illnesses.

Additionally, the E.M.P.O.W.E.R. program seeks to provide engagement to long-term treatment services to youth with serious mental illnesses.

Representatives from many of the participating agencies are expected to attend the inauguration of the program, including El Paso County Attorney Jo Anne Bernal, District Attorney Jaime Esparza, El Paso Public Defender Clara Hernandez, UTEP President Diana Natalicio, County Commissioner Anna Perez, 65^th District Court Judge Yahara Lisa Gutierrez, NAMI President Sindi Elloreaga, and County Mental Health Services Director Rita Ruelas.

WHO: Representatives from participating agencies.

WHAT: Inauguration of the new E.M.P.O.W.E.R. Program

WHEN: Wednesday May 9, 2012, at 11:30 a.m.

WHERE: Diversion Community Court

6400 Delta Dr., El Paso, Texas 79905

E.M.P.O.W.E.R. Press Advisory.pdf

Mural Painting Helps Rehabilitate Local At-Risk Teens

edominguez — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 23:22:00 GMT

On Tuesday May 1, 2012, local authorities will unveil the second mural created in a program that uses art to rehabilitate at-risk students.

The mural was painted by 11 boys and three girls from the El Paso Independent School District that are under supervision of the El Paso Juvenile Probation Department. The program is spearheaded by local muralist Jesus "Cimi" Alvarado, with the idea that nurturing artistic talents in delinquent children helps them change their destructive behavior.

"Art is a powerful motivator that helps teens rehabilitate from substance abuse problems and other negative habits by developing new skills and helping them feel proud of their work," Alvarado said.

The mural is located in the handball court at Ascárate Park, and depicts migrant workers, activist Cesar Chavez, and several Aztec symbols that represent the Hispanic heritage. The project was financed through a donation from the Adult Probation Department's "Graffiti Wipeout Program" and the supplies were furnished by the El Paso Independent School District.

The mural will be unveiled on Tuesday May 1, 2012 at 4:00 p.m. by El Paso County Attorney Jo Anne Bernal, 65^th District Court Judge Yahara Lisa Gutierrez, El Paso Juvenile Probation Department Chief Roger Martinez, and EPISD Fine Arts Director Charles Angerstein.

The first mural created under the program also paid homage to immigrants, depicting farm workers, monarch butterflies (who migrate back and forth from Canada and Mexico every year), and Statue of Liberty along with Lady Justice. The mural was unveiled in June 2010 and remains at the offices of Las Americas Immigrant and Advocacy Center, 1500 E. Yandell Dr., in central El Paso.

For more information about the program, please call Assistant County Attorney Tracy C. Almanzan at 546-2050.

WHO: Representatives from participating agencies and students from EPISD.

WHAT: Mural Unveiling.

WHEN: Tuesday May 1, 2012 at 4:00 p.m.

WHERE: Handball Courts at Ascárate Park, 6900 Delta Avenue.

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2012 Mural Project Press Release.pdf

16-year-old male accused in the 2009 “pony trail murder” certified to stand trial as an adult

edominguez — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 22:25:00 GMT

El Paso County Attorney Jo Anne Bernal announced today that a District Court judge has certified an 18-year-old male, who was a juvenile at the time of the alleged offense, to stand trial as an adult. The teen now will face one count of Capital Murder in the adult criminal-justice system.

The teen is one of five individuals arrested in connection with the murder of 37-year-old Jose Daniel Gonzalez Galena, who was gunned down in front of his East-side home on May 15, 2009.

According to police records that night at around 10 p.m. Gonzalez-Galeana was shot at close range outside his home in the 1300 block of Pony Trail. The murder is believed to have been drug-related.

This morning after hearing the facts of the case, 65th District Court Judge Yahara Lisa Gutierrez certified the juvenile to face charges in the adult criminal-justice system.

The District Attorney's office will be presenting the case to a Grand Jury next week. If the teen is indicted, he will not be eligible for the death penalty. Under Texas law the maximum sentence a juvenile can receive in the adult criminal-justice system after certification is life in prison.

Adult certification of a juvenile offender is reserved for the most serious criminal cases. In approving the certification the judge considers four factors:

Whether the alleged offense was against a person or property, with greater weight in favor of transfer given to offenses against the person.

The sophistication and maturity of the child.
The record and previous history of the child.
The prospects of adequate protection of the public and the likelihood of the rehabilitation of the child by use of procedures, services, and facilities currently available to the juvenile court.

In this case, the court weighed all the factors and determined that it was appropriate to certify.

The identity of the teen cannot be disclosed at this point as he has not been indicted by a grand jury. No further information will be released.

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Pony Trail Capital Murder Press Release.pdf

16-Year Old Male Accused In The “Op Nightclub Beating” Certified To Be Charged As An Adult

edominguez — Fri, 02 Sep 2011 23:02:00 GMT

El Paso County Attorney Jo Anne Bernal confirmed today that a local 16-year-old male accused of Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon will be charged as an adult after a District Court Judge agreed to certify him to stand trial as an adult.

The allegations stem from a May 7 incident in which 22-year-old Lionel Martinez was brutally beaten by a group of men outside the Old Plantation night club in downtown El Paso.

According to the El Paso Police Department "the victim was outside the club waiting for a ride when a verbal confrontation began between the victim and six others males at 12:20 a.m., Saturday, May 7, 2011. The confrontation became physical with the six males punching, kicking, and eventually using a bat to hit the victim."

Mr. Martinez was transported to University Medical Center (UMC) in critical condition but has since then been released.

On Wednesday August 31, 2011, after hearing the facts of the case, 65th District Court Judge Yahara Lisa Gutierrez certified the juvenile to face charges in the adult criminal justice system.

As a consequence of the certification, the juvenile will remain at the Juvenile Probation Department's (JPD) Detention Facility awaiting trial. The County Attorney's Office has transferred the case to the District Attorney's Office for prosecution, and they are expected to present the case to a grand jury next week.

Adult certification of a juvenile offender is reserved for the most serious criminal cases. In approving the certification the judge considers four factors:

Whether the alleged offense was against a person or property, with greater weight in favor of transfer given to offenses against the person.
The sophistication and maturity of the child.
The record and previous history of the child.
The prospects of adequate protection of the public and the likelihood of the rehabilitation of the child by use of procedures, services, and facilities currently available to the juvenile court.

In this case, the court weighed all the factors and determined that it was appropriate to certify. The juvenile is now subject to the full range of penalties available in adult criminal system.

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OP Beating Adult Certification Press Release.pdf

Procuradora Del Condado Y Fiscal De Distrito Anuncian Iniciativa Para Combatir La Violencia Doméstica Y En El Noviazgo

edominguez — Fri, 11 Feb 2011 22:39:00 GMT

Incluye videos, materiales y presentaciones disponibles para todas las escuelas de nivel bachillerato ("high schools")

Hoy viernes 11 de Febrero del 2011, la Procuradora del Condado de El Paso Jo Anne Bernal y el Fiscal de Distrito Jaime Esparza anunciaron una nueva iniciativa conjunta para reducir la violencia doméstica y en el noviazgo dentro del condado.

La campaña "¡No Te Dejes! Don't Let Yourself," fue creada gracias a una beca de $80,000 otorgada por el Departamento de Justicia Criminal de la Oficina del Gobernador de Texas Rick Perry.

Esta iniciativa incluye la producción de videos que reflejan la cultura y situaciones de la vida fronteriza, y que van dirigidos a estudiantes de bachillerato ("high school") y padres de familia. Los videos, creados por la compañía productora local "MindWarp Entertainment," serán utilizados junto con materiales educativos que abarcan temas como la violencia doméstica y el abuso juvenil durante el noviazgo. Talleres didácticos que incluyen exhibiciones publicas de los videos serán impartidas por empleados de ambas dependencias públicas a estudiantes, directivos escolares, padres de familia y grupos comunitarios del condado de El Paso.

La primer dramatización tiene una duración de 16 minutos y describe las experiencias que sufre una adolescente víctima del abuso en el noviazgo, tales como la intimidación, el aislamiento y la violencia física que ejerce el abusador sobre ella para controlarla.

El segundo video, creado en inglés y en español, describe situaciones que se presentan en casos de violencia domestica entre adultos, tales como la coerción económica y el abuso sexual, la utilización de los hijos como herramienta de manipulación, y la explotación de la situación migratoria para controlar las víctimas.

Esta iniciativa es única porque todos los materiales reflejan la cultura y situaciones que son específicas de El Paso y de otras comunidades a lo largo de la frontera entre Estados Unidos y México. Al tratarse de materiales que reflejan la cultura local, se logra una mejor conexión emocional con el público, por lo que el mensaje resulta más efectivo. Hasta el momento estudiantes que han tenido la oportunidad de ver anticipadamente el video sobre violencia en el noviazgo han respondido muy positivamente al mensaje.

La iniciativa también incluye la creación de una página de Internet interactiva, y materiales didácticos que discuten las dinámicas de la violencia doméstica y del abuso en el noviazgo, prevención del problema, así como una explicación de cómo y dónde buscar ayuda en el condado de El Paso. Otros de los tópicos que se incluyen son el acceso a la protección policiaca, el uso de las órdenes de protección, y la disponibilidad de refugios y servicios de consejería.

Personal de ambas oficinas ofrecerán presentaciones a todas las escuelas locales que lo soliciten. Las presentaciones ayudarán a que los distritos escolares cumplan con una ley estatal aprobada en Mayo del 2007 que los obliga a implementar programas de prevención de la violencia en el noviazgo.

Al comentar sobre la importancia del proyecto, el Fiscal de Distrito Jaime Esparza explicó:

"Esta iniciativa detonará conversaciones sobre el daño que causa la violencia intrafamiliar en nuestra comunidad. Esperamos ayudar igualmente a adultos y jóvenes a reconocer las señales de alerta de una relación abusiva, y proveerles información sobre cómo pueden recibir ayuda si se encuentran en esa situación, o si son victimas de la violencia domestica," dijo Esparza.

Por su parte la Procuradora del Condado Jo Anne Bernal dijo que "esta iniciativa es única porque es la primera vez que dos agencias judiciales en el Condado de El Paso se unen para crear un programa contra la violencia domestica que busca procurar justicia educando, disuadiendo, y previniendo la violencia familiar antes de que exista la necesidad de una intervención policiaca."

Las Oficinas del Fiscal de Distrito y de la Procuradora del Condado comenzarán a programar presentaciones con los distritos escolares locales a partir del 1ero de Marzo. La página de Internet interactiva comenzará a funcionar en esa misma fecha.

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Boletín Iniciativa No Te Dejes.pdf