American Justice

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of meeting Tap Mernard (an attorney and member of the Rotary Club in Yakima). He kindly accompanied me to the Superior Court, where he introduced me to a gentleman named Norman who was head of court services. I also briefly met a Superior Court Judge. We spent the first part of the afternoon usefully discussing the American criminal justice system, including the criminal procedure, penalties (including the death penalty, which exists in this state) and the issue's with managing drug misuse/addiction in the USA.

After our discussion we observed the Superior Court, which interestingly adjoined the City Jail. I was invited to see inside the City jail, but declined. The cases that I observed concerned preliminary hearings for serious offences ranging from possession of drugs to fraud. I noted from the court list that earlier that day there has been case listings for gun offences, arising from violence which had occurred in Yakima at the weekend.

We then journeyed across the city to the Juvenile Court and detention centre, which were also adjoined. On our journey I was very interested to see sales centres for 'Bail Bonds', which are companies which specialise in loaning people money so that they can secure bail. This is unheard of in the UK.

Much to my surprise I was allowed to enter and tour the Juvenile Detention Centre. I also had the opportunity to speak to a detention office . I was very impressed by the presentation of the prison (it was immaculate, and much nicer than UK prisons!). As I left the prison I saw some young female detainees being escorted back to their wing, I was interested to see that they all walked in a straight line, with their hands behind their backs and their heads held high. I asked the prison officer why they had this composure, and was informed that it was strategy that had been adopted to prevent detainees communicating with other wings, and from expressing an allegiance to a particular gang. I discovered that teenage gangs are such an issue in Yakima that someone is employed to come into the prison to support the young people who wish to disassociate from gangs. Youth gang culture is an increasing problem in cities in the UK too.

Finally, at the close of the day I observed the Juvenile Court and heard a Judge announce his judgment following a contested trial.

I greatly enjoyed my afternoon as I had the privilege of seeing law in action at varying levels.