Wind Gap DJ Candidate: More Community Service Sentences For Juveniles

Monroe County Assistant DA Barbara Fitzgerald is running for District Judge in the Wind Gap area, where she hopes to succeed Adrianne Masut. She's one of six candidates.

Last night, I heard Ms. Fitzgerald address a group of Northampton County Republicans at Stefano's restaurant in Bethlehem. She has an interesting idea.

"The major change that I would like to see happen in our area, other than to give us a professional court, ... I would like to see implementation of the use of more community service, particularly with our juvenile offenders who are convicted of first offense non-violent crimes. At the moment, what happens is they're sentenced to have a fine. They're 15, 16, 17 years old. They don't have jobs. Their parents end up paying. The parents learn a lesson ... maybe. But the kids certainly do not. I would like to help the juveniles be accountable by forcing them to do community service in lieu of those fines. I do think that would be a more appropriate disposition."