OH- Ohio Juvenile Judge Offers Sentencing Option of Blood Donation

6-5-2008 Ohio:

Blood transfusions may have helped save the life of a Cleveland juvenile court judge when at the age of 17 he became paralyzed from the neck down in a trampoline accident. Now Judge Peter Sikora is offering juvenile offenders the chance to help others in life-or-death situations by allowing older youths to complete a community service sentence through a blood donation.

The judge’s blood donation program, offered through the Red Cross, is thought to be the first of its kind.

Sikora, of the Cuyahoga County Juvenile Court, says after 19 years on the bench, it’s easy to get into the same old routine when juveniles appear before him. “You give them probation, slap them with a $100 fine, and you tell them not to do it again,” he told ABAJournal.com. “I’m not sure if for a lot of our kids that really has an impact.”

He prefers community service where kids get a chance to pay back the community. Before Thanksgiving, youths can work off their sentences by donating frozen turkeys, and after the Fourth of July, they can help clean up the beach where the fireworks display is held.

“I’m always looking for things that might really register with the kids, that will get them to think about their actions, and maybe get them to think in terms of doing some good for the community,” he says.

About a year ago, he began brainstorming with the juvenile court’s media liaison, Patricia Oakar, about other possible community service options, and she suggested working with the Red Cross. The idea of blood donations soon took form.

The charity had legal counsel review the idea and emphasized that its regular guidelines must be met. Youths have to be 17 years old and meet minimum weight requirements to give blood. And the option is voluntary; offenders are free to choose other community service programs. They also have the option of learning how to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation in a Red Cross training course.

Parents are also consulted and must sign an agreement saying they concur in their child’s decision to give blood.

Sikora says the option will most likely be offered for youths who commit minor offenses such as speeding or reckless operation of a vehicle, vandalism and petty theft. He has spoken with other juvenile court judges in the county, and they also are receptive to the idea.

The Red Cross blood mobile visits the courthouse on June 16 for employees and any juvenile offenders who volunteer. Sikora hopes about a half-dozen kids will show up for this first trial run. Afterward, he plans to find out their reactions.

Oakar hopes the idea will catch on, and not just in Cuyahoga County. “If other courts join in all over the country, can you imagine?” she asks. “We could make such an impact in helping save lives.” ..News Source.. by Debra Cassens Weiss