Juvenile court processing and sentencing for Colleen's involuntary manslaughter case

¶ … Colleen\'s processing begins with intake. At the time of Colleen\'s arrest, she was tired and repeatedly clicked her heels together as if she had a nervous tick. However, she was not argumentative. She agreed to a drug test administered by the State, and simply stated that she wanted to go home. When the test came up positive for opiates, Colleen did start to argue, claiming in her statement that her three homeless friends had taken a bus to Seattle, but on the way there, the bus broke down within view of the Emerald City and the passengers waited on the side of the road where there happened to be a field of poppies. Colleen claims that the poppies made her and her friends pass out, and that was why she was relaxed and asserts that she has never before taken drugs. When the officer on duty took her statement, he also phoned her Aunt Emily, who agreed to meet with a state-appointed attorney and Colleen in accordance with state law: \"It shall be the duty of the officer to furnish the county or district attorney and the juvenile intake and assessment worker if the officer has delivered the juvenile to the worker,\" (Revised Kansas Juvenile Justice Code, Article 23, Number 2, 2012).

Court/Processing

Colleen will be processed in juvenile court in accordance with state laws, but only after charges or official complaints have been officially given. This all takes place after intake assessment and with the presence of an attorney to help Colleen and her aunt understand their rights. The entire process \"helps determine what community-based services may be appropriate for the youth and family as well as to determine if the youth can be returned home or if placement is appropriate pending a subsequent court hearing,\" (Cadue, 2013). After Colleen\'s intake it was determined that she would charged with several different crimes including involuntary manslaughter. No charges have been pressed for the accidental homicide of the victim\'s sister a few weeks prior. It has been determined that no charges will be pressed related to the drug test because no drugs were actually found on Colleen\'s person.

The first step in the court process will be serving Colleen with a summons for her initial appearance in court (Kansas Legal Services, 2011). At this point, Colleen can consult with her attorney about her options. She has three options, according to Kansas Legal Services (2011). Those include diversion, trial, and a plea of either guilty or no contest. Colleen will likely wave her right to a trial because of the ample physical evidence. However, due to the serious nature of the crime of involuntary manslaughter, diversion is unlikely in her case. Colleen will most likely decide to use the process of plea bargaining, with the attorney\'s help. During the process of plea bargaining, Colleen and her attorney will argue for clemency and ask that she be offered a kind of alternative sentencing instead of incarceration.

Sentencing

Colleen will most likely be adjucated of the crime of involuntary manslaughter, a term reserved exclusively in juvenile law because to be \"convicted\" of a crime one must be an adult and deemed fully culpable (Kansas Legal Services, 2011). The judge will have the option of sentencing Colleen to different types of probation such as standard probation or intensive supervised probation (Kansas Legal Services, 2011). Because Colleen\'s aunt has agreed to play a more active role in working with her on the farm, Juvenile Justice Authority custody and correctional facility lockup will not be recommended.

Punishment/Rehabilitation

For Colleen, the judge will most likely want to offer some creative sentencing options to help her in the rehabilitation process. For example, Colleen does not seem to have a sense of purpose on her aunt\'s farm, and even though she loves her aunt and uncle very much, longs to see the world, travel, and possibly live in Seattle. Therefore, the judge will order that Colleen explore her options for the future, focusing on either studying at the University of Washington or exploring options working on a farm cooperative in the State of Washington, where Colleen might be able to fall asleep in the fields whenever she wants. Also during the time of probation, Colleen will be encouraged to take singing lessons, as her aunt has mentioned that Colleen has a good voice and makes up songs frequently. Colleen may also be asked to write about her experiences.

Special Accommodations

Colleen has no special needs, but the judge may recognize that due to her unusual circumstances, counseling may be required. Therefore, once per week, Colleen can see a therapist of her choice. Colleen has expressed a preference for Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) because she is interested in learning about mindfulness meditation.