Shelby County Juvenile Court Judge lays out plan to combat youth crime

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Thursday, Shelby County Juvenile Court Judge Tarik Sugarmon, on the job less than a month, said promised reforms are already underway in how to balance punishing and rehabilitating young people. 

The topic is timely this month with two high-profile murder suspects linked to the juvenile justice system.

RELATED: Opinion | Those in authority have a lot more explaining to do | Otis Sanford

"The community will see the true intent we've put behind juvenile court when our full complement in onboard," Judge Sugarmon said Thursday afternoon.

As Judge Sugarmon hires his team, he's also gathering input to improve his office.

"We've been on a listening tour and one of the things that has been consistent, there's got to be early intervention, keeping kids out of our juvenile court system," Judge Sugarmon added.

He said that starts with juvenile court partnering better with parents and elementary schools and focusing on mental health.

RELATED: Incoming Shelby Co. juvenile court judge, transition team members lay out their goals to reform & improve juvenile justice

"Educating them about the risks of the community and dealing with the trauma is a big, big component of this process," Judge Sugarmon said.

Since taking over Sept. 1, Judge Sugarmon also responded to two high-profile murder cases, involving suspects with lengthy juvenile court records and convictions.

He said their backgrounds reinforced his mission as a juvenile justice leader.

"These citizens are entitled the presumption of innocence until proven guilty but the intent behind our reform efforts are going to be addressing these problems before they manifest themselves into the teenage and adolescent years," Judge Sugarmon said.

RELATED: 'We don't accept the justice system as it is now' | Memphis Mayor speaks following deadly shooting spree

He's also working with Shelby County Sheriff Floyd Bonner to assist how a soon-to-open, larger juvenile detention facility, with 216 available beds, will operate and function.

"He's agreed to convert two of those pods or at least two of those pods to a vocational training center which would include technical skills jobs and also training children on soft skills, how to do a resume," Judge Sugarmon said.

Sugarmon also set up a task force of community members to come back with other ideas on how to improve the system. Those findings are expected in the coming months.