After 19 years of service on the bench, Chief Judge Jeremiah S. Jeremiah Jr., of the Rhode Island Family Court, was named 2005 Judge of the Year by the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges (NCJFCJ).

The NCFJC chose Jeremiah based on his leadership in the community and his relationship with the families that he comes in contact with daily. While Jeremiah says that he hopes to impact the juvenile justice field in a positive way, he also wishes he could help them earlier.

“In all honesty, I wish I could talk to these kids before they even come before me in court. I want to help children stay out of the court to begin with – I want to lower the number of offenses, and I want to help rehabilitate these kids,” Jeremiah says.

According to the NCFJC, Jeremiah stood out as the Judge of the Year because of his fair choices, deliberate thought process and undying dedication to juvenile offenders. It also looked at his efforts to establish more courts within the community and his innovative ways of teaching juveniles to reform.

“We chose him because he is an asset to the court – and the community,” says Mary Mentaberry, Executive Director of the NCFJC. “He was an obvious choice for us and we're pleased to recognize him for his commitment to juvenile and family justice in Rhode Island – and nationwide.”

Jeremiah says the award is an honor.

“Anytime you are honored, you appreciate that someone is aware of your accomplishments. I'm deeply honored – it's a prestigious award and I am privileged to have been chosen to receive it.”

Going Above and Beyond

One example of Jeremiah's dedication was highlighted in a 2001 National Public Radio segment told the story of Matthew, a 16 year old offender that was serving time at the Rhode Island Training School, a juvenile correctional facility where Matthew was serving time on drug charges.

Matthew was recommended for release seven months before his sentence was to end – due to good behavior – and Jeremiah decided to give him a chance. When Matthew appeared in his courtroom, Jeremiah explained that he believed juveniles can make the right choices, and told Matthew that he should use his early release as a chance to turn his life around.
 
Jeremiah told Matthew that he would be released – but that if he got into trouble again, he would be sent back to the Rhode Island Training School for 18 months. And when Matthew was arrested again, just weeks after his early release, Jeremiah stuck to his word – and sent Matthew back to the training school until his 21st birthday.

“I was hoping I wouldn't have to see Judge Jeremiah again…” Matthew said on the program, after his sentencing. “I didn't want him to look at me and feel like I'm a disgrace.”

Jeremiah's reputation is to care about each juvenile – and for knowing when it's time to use a ‘tough-love' approach. Matthew, a juvenile that had a chance to prove himself, is a shining example of this – because even though he failed to meet Jeremiah's expectations, he may have learned a lesson.

A Balancing Act

In his 14 years serving as the Chief Justice of the Rhode Island Family Court, Jeremiah is well known for looking at each case individually. And while Jeremiah says that he hopes his rulings affect each juvenile positively, he also knows that he cannot be lenient.

“I don't enjoy sending kids to training schools,” Jeremiah says. “It's not like I wake up in the morning and want to do it – it's just that some kids need to experience consequences so they can learn to change their behavior.”

Another way Jeremiah has made a difference is by organizing specialty courts, from truancy courts to juvenile drug treatment courts.

“I hope that I've influenced the court in a good way,” Jeremiah said, “because I genuinely believe that once an offender realizes someone cares, and that they are appreciated – their behavior begins to improve.”

Jeremiah is also innovative in his rulings and recognizes the importance of considering each individual who comes into his court.

“We do many things to help these individuals,” Jeremiah says. “We place them in good foster homes, or independent living situations.”

Jeremiah remains optimistic, even though it has become obvious to him that many of these juveniles are missing a key component in their lives.

“Many of these juveniles have no family life. Nobody says to them ‘We care, we love you'. Many of them have no self-esteem, and no respect,” Jeremiah says. “But we can help them. We help them with money to start their lives. We work with them to provide home visits and rehabilitation services. I want to help these juveniles turn their lives around.”