Tag Archives: Judge William Voy
May 13, 2022 Judge William Voy announces his retirement after 24 years serving in the Family Division of District Court
Judge William Voy has committed his career to serving the youth of Clark County. He was appointed by the governor of the State of Nevada to the Eighth Judicial District Court in 1998. For the first five years, Judge Voy heard domestic matters related primarily to divorce, custody and child-support. He also presided over the Adult Mental Health Civil Commitment Court. In 2003, he was selected to preside over the juvenile delinquency court. His communications style and life-experiences made the assignment a perfect fit. In 2005, Judge Voy established the nation’s first specialty court for sexually exploited youth. In addition, he implemented the state’s first juvenile diversion court and mental health court, as well as oversaw the implementation of Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative (JDAI) that reduced average daily population in detention by 50 percent. As a result, Judge Voy developed the first Probation 24/7 Intensive Supervision Unit in the country.
Judge Voy has been a key figure in Keeping Kids in School Summits hosted by the Eighth Judicial District Court, the Nevada State Public Charter School Authority and the Clark County School District. The summits have been held over many years to bring those involved in education, justice and youth services together to cover techniques to improve student success and graduation rates. Judge William Voy also oversaw the Truancy Diversion Program (TDP) an effective, non-punitive, incentive-based approach to re-engage at-risk students with truancy problems to prevent and reduce youth crime.
“Judge Voy has dedicated many years to turning the lives around of youth facing the justice system in our community,” said District Court Chief Judge Linda Marie Bell. “We wish Judge Voy well in all his future endeavors.” In a letter to the governor and chief justice of the Nevada Supreme Court announcing his retirement, Judge Voy wrote, “For the last twenty-four years, it has been my great privilege and honor to serve the families and citizens of Clark County and the State of Nevada. I look forward to being able to continue to serve the families and citizens of Nevada in the future.” His retirement is effective May 31 of this year.
“Striving to find good in the youth who appeared before him, Judge Voy has been an innovative leader in creating programs to provide structure and help, rather than punishment, where appropriate to guide children to better choices and a better life. Judge Voy will be greatly missed by his colleagues, community partners and the families he has assisted,” said Presiding Family Division Judge Rebecca Burton. “As the judicial officer who married my husband and I, Judge Voy holds an extra special place in my heart.”
Prior to being appointed to the District Court bench, Judge Voy spent 10 years in private practice in Las Vegas and also served as a captain in the U.S. Army’s Judge Advocate General’s Office, stationed at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C. Judge Voy received his law degree from Willamette University in Salem Oregon in 1986.
Tags: Clark County Courts, Eighth Judicial District Court, Judge William Voy, juvenile justice in Las Vegas, Las Vegas Court, Nevada Court, Nevada Eighth Judicial District Court, Truancy Diversion Program Clark County, truancy prevention, William Voy
December 12, 2019 Work in schools paying off
It is reported that Clark County graduation rates are on the rise for the second year. The District Court Truancy Diversion/Keeping Kids in School program has been working with the Clark County School District and other community organizations toward the goal of improving graduation rates to ensure a brighter future for students in Clark County.
The Eighth Judicial District Court administers the Truancy Diversion Program (TDP) in collaboration with the Clark County School District (CCSD), the Nevada State Public Charter School and the Achievement School District. More than 1,600 students participated in the truancy diversion program in the 2017/2018 school year. The Truancy Diversion Program uses volunteers who motivate students to stay in school and graduate. The volunteers visit their designated school accompanied by a TDP facilitator for approximately three hours each week to hold truancy court sessions at schools. They promote and support academic achievement using a team approach to an individual student success plan involving students and their parents. They review the students’ attendance, school work, and progress to ensure that they have the resources needed to be successful.
Keeping Kids in School Summits hosted by the Eighth Judicial District Court, the Nevada State Public Charter School Authority and the Clark County School District have been held over the past two years to bring those involved in education, justice and youth services together to cover techniques to safeguard the rights of vulnerable youth.
District Court Judge William Voy currently oversee the TDP. “As a judge who hears juvenile cases, I see firsthand the importance of education and graduation,” said Judge Voy. “The Truancy Diversion Program has proven to be an effective, non-punitive, incentive-based approach to re-engage at-risk students with truancy problems. It is a proactive way to prevent and reduce youth crime and avert potential costs to our welfare and justice systems.”
Related articles:
Nevada, Clark County high school graduation rates increase
https://www.reviewjournal.com/post/1912537
Juvenile Judge tells Truancy Diversion Program volunteers, “Every kid you touch is probably one less kid that I see.”
Clark County educators and justice professionals take action to keep kids in school and out of the justice system
As school year winds down those who motivate students to graduate to be recognized
Tags: Clark County Detention Center, Clark County Education Association, ClarkCounty, Education, Judge William Voy, Truancy, TruancyDiversion, truancyprevention
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May 23, 2018 Kudos to those in the trenches fighting the battle
There’s a long held belief that showing up is half the battle to achieving success. That belief holds true when it comes to school. A recognition event was held Friday for Truancy Diversion Program volunteers who are in the trenches at schools getting kids to show up. Judge William Voy oversees the program offered by the Eighth Judicial District Court to reduce absenteeism in Clark County schools in an effort to reduce the number of youth entering the formal juvenile justice system. He thanked the volunteers that visit 40 schools as truancy judges. Judge Voy said, “It’s unfortunate that this room not twice as full.” In 2017, the room was twice as full of volunteers visiting 80 schools, thanks to federal grant funding that has since run out. Schools are now required to pay for the cost of the program out of their budgets. The cost is around $4,000 per school. It is money well spent, according to Judge William Voy, who presides over juvenile cases. Judge Voy said, “The need is there. This program works. Sending them to the juvenile justice system doesn’t work.”
Judge William Voy thanks Truancy Diversion Program volunteers
A report released in Dec. 2017 showed improvement in Clark County graduation rates. According to the Clark County School District (CCSD), one of the key programs to combat habitual absenteeism is the Truancy Diversion Program (TDP). The program not only works with students, parents are also brought in to address the student’s school attendance, behavior and grades.
“It does work. We appreciate the volunteer judges, said Dr. Tammy Malich, CCSD Assistant Superintendent. “These kids are our future, they’re our community. These are our kids.”
Dr. Tammy Malich on Truancy Diversion Program
Truancy is considered a crime, but many students who miss school frequently aren’t just goofing off. They miss classes due to life circumstances. Others don’t realize the long-term impact of cutting school. “It all starts with truancy,” said Judge Voy. “Keep kids in school, keep them engaged and we can make a difference.”
Christopher Guy volunteer for Truancy Diversion Program/Keeping Kids In School
A volunteer judge, accompanied by a social worker (family advocate) and an educational liaison, meet with students identified by the school as truant and their parents. During weekly court sessions at the school, the student’s attendance record and behavioral issues are addressed. The TDP judge and staff help students focus on the importance of school success. They set and review goals for attendance, homework completion and appropriate classroom behavior. The program achieves success through this process and positive reinforcement. If needed, family resource centers, shelters, youth services, and/or social service information/referrals are also provided.
The benefits for students are improved school attendance and class participation resulting in better grades needed for graduation. The students are offered support, tutoring/counseling and coached to make and keep goals. Incentives from the program get students excited to achieve and connect with the school community. Families can get counseling referrals for community programs and support services. Parents are offered strategies to facilitate their child’s success. The program is intended to build on and strengthen family support. Schools benefit from the program through more engaged and positive students, improved attendance, improved parental links/communication and better student grades.
Licensed attorneys, mental health professionals or law enforcement officers who are interested in volunteering as a TDP judge should call 702-455-1755.
Sincere thanks go to these volunteers for their commitment to help Keep Kids in School and stay on the path to success. IianAcherman, Detective Bernard Plaskett, Randa Shea, Quintin Davis, Shauna Watson, Amelia Hughes, Christopher Guy, Robin Gonzales, Cory Juelke, Luchana Turner, Joyce Gallina, Douglas Clark, Radha Chanderraj, Mary Perry,Rick Morales, North Las Vegas Justice Court Chief Judge KalaniHoo, Kim Webb, Paul Haire, Jennifer Somma, Kevin Speed, Carlos Morales, Brigid Duffy, Scott Vaughn, Lisa Szyc, Paul Turner, Juliana Berry, Darlene Stein, Lana Croft, Matthew Fox
Christopher Guy volunteer for Truancy Diversion Program/Keeping Kids In School
Tags: Amelia Hughes, Avaunte DuPree, Brigid Duffy, Carlos Morales, Christopher Guy, Clark County Schools, Cory Juelke, Darlene Stein, Detective Bernard Plaskett, Douglas Clark, Dr. Tammy Malich, Iian Acherman, Jennifer Somma, Joyce Gallina, Judge William Voy, Juliana Berry, Keep Kids In School, Kevin Speed, Kim Webb, Lana Croft, Lisa Szyc, Luchana Turner, Margaret Pickard, Mary Perry, Matthew Fox, North Las Vegas Justice Court Chief Judge KalaniHoo, Paul Haire, Paul Turner, Quintin Davis, Radha Chanderraj, Randa Shea, Rick Morales, Robin Gonzales, Scott Vaughn, Shauna Watson, truancy diversion
May 17, 2018 As school year winds down those who motivate students to graduate to be recognized
Chronic absence correlated to high dropout rates has long been an issue in Nevada’s public schools. A recent report shows recent improvement in Clark County graduation rates. According to the Clark County School District (CCSD), one of the key programs to combat habitual absenteeism is the Truancy Diversion Program (TDP). As the school year winds down, it is a perfect time to recognize Truancy Diversion Program volunteers who commit to a school-year of weekly truancy diversion court sessions to keep kids in school and on track to graduate. The volunteer judges/mentors will be recognized on Friday, May 18 from noon to 2 p.m. at the Social Club Ballroom at Main Street Station 200 N. Main Street. The volunteers will be given an award and the opportunity to share their experiences of helping students attain an education. The TDP volunteers see first-hand how keeping a student in school can be the difference between failure and graduation; and between a path of crime and a path of success.
District Court Judge William Voy currently oversee the TDP that was established by Judge Gerald Hardcastle in 2002, and overseen by Judge Jennifer Elliott in collaboration with the Clark County School District (CCSD) for 10 years. “As a judge who hears juvenile cases, I see firsthand the importance of education and graduation. The Truancy Diversion program has proven to be an effective part of the strategy to keep students in school and on track to graduate. The volunteers are key to this much-needed program, and their work has done much to improve the path of many students,” said Judge Voy. “The Truancy Diversion Program not only benefits those students who are struggling to complete their education, but it benefits our community as a whole.”
In the 2016/2017 school-year, the TDP was in more than 80 CCSD elementary, middle schools and high schools. In the 2017/2018 school year, the TDP program plummeted to 40 participating schools, due to the ending of grant for the program from the Office of Juvenile Justice Department of Prevention Keeping Kids in School and Out of Court (OJJDP). Since the grant expired, funding has been an issue, since each school must use school funds to pay for the program.
Those without a high school diploma face higher prospects of unemployment and the associated negative consequences. This collaborative effort between the CCSD has been structured to prevent and reduce youth crime, re-engage students in learning, and ultimately, reduce potential costs to our welfare and justice systems. It is a non-punitive, incentive-based approach to at-risk school students with truancy problems. “Kids who successfully complete school have a much better chance at success in life than those who drop out,” said Presiding Family Court Judge Bryce Duckworth. “Truancy is often the first step off the path to success. The Truancy Diversion Program addresses the issue and keeps students in school and on track to graduate.”
Judges, attorneys, mental health professionals and law enforcement officers volunteer approximately three hours each week to hold truancy court sessions at schools. They promote and support academic achievement using a team effort and an individual student success plan with students and their parents. They review the students’ attendance, school work, and progress to ensure that students have the resources they need to be successful. The goal of the Eighth Judicial District Court Family Division is to continue to expand until all Clark County schools have a TDP program.
Licensed attorneys, mental health professionals or law enforcement officers who are interested in volunteering as a TDP judge for this Specialty Court program should call 702-455-1755. The Family Court youth programs are a great example of how the Eighth Judicial District Court is using alternative, efficient methods to address crime and ensure justice. District Court continuously works to develop innovative ideas, improve efficiency, address issues and improve access to justice
Tags: Courts, Education, Judge Bryce Duckworth, Judge Jennifer Elliott, Judge William Voy, Las Vegas, Las Vegas courts, Truancy, Truancy Las Vegas, truancy prevention
September 14, 2017 School Truancy, dropout and youth crime to be tackled at National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges School-Justice Partnership summit
The National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges (NCJFCJ) School-Justice Partnership Summit will be held on Sept.15 from 8 a. m. to 3 p.m. at Family Court Campus/Child Haven, 701 North Pecos, Las Vegas, Red Rock Training Room – 701 Building K2. The focus of the Summit will be developing effective methods to reduce school truancy and juvenile delinquency rates in Clark County. Effective programming for schools, school/police diversion programs, positive school climate, restorative practices, early warning systems, trauma informed classrooms and judicially led school justice partnerships will be the priorities of the day.
Truancy and school dropout are viewed as a gateway to crime and a lifetime of challenges. The Clark County School District is the fifth largest school district in the U.S., serving more than 300,000 students at 358 schools. The district reports alarmingly high dropout and teen pregnancy rates. “Everyday we see teens in court who started out skipping school and progressively go down the path to serious crime,” said Juvenile Court Judge William Voy. “This summit is a way to discuss best-practices that work to address the growing crisis of pathways to criminal activity with our community youth.”
Those who have been working this issue in the trenches will share their knowledge including: Judge Steven Teske, Clayton County, Georgia will present proven strategies used in Georgia to reduce truancy rates and the impact on referrals to the juvenile justice system including: Kevin Bethel, Retired Deputy Police Commissioner, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, currently of Center for Children’s Law and Policy; Theresa Bohannan, National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges and Kori Hamilton, Educational Specialist, National School Climate Center.
A panel discussion of Las Vegas leaders will discuss the efforts of community agencies to reduce truancy rates and juvenile court referrals with community leaders including: District Court Judge William Voy; Assemblyman Tyrone Thompson; Dr. Tammy Malich, Asst. Superintendent CCSD; Clark County Commissioner Marilyn Kirkpatrick and Clark County Commissioner Chris Giunchigliani.
The National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges is the nation’s oldest judicial membership organization and focused on improving the effectiveness of our nation’s juvenile and family courts. A leader in continuing education opportunities, research, and policy development in the field of juvenile and family justice, the 2,000-member organization is unique in providing practice-based resources to jurisdictions and communities nationwide.
Tags: Assemblyman Tyrone Thompson; Dr. Tammy Malich, Asst. Superintendent CCSD; Clark County Commissioner Marilyn Kirkpatrick and Clark County Commissioner Chris Giunchigliani, Eighth Judicial District Court, Family Court, Judge Steven Teske, Judge William Voy, Kevin Bethel, Kori Hamilton, Theresa Bohannan, truancy prevention
January 12, 2017 Jack And Lulu Lehman Scholarship Established To Help Fund Education Awarded To Outstanding Juvenile Drug Court Graduate
The first of the newly established Jack and Lulu Lehman scholarships has been awarded to help fund the education of an outstanding juvenile drug court graduate. The recipient was recently accepted to the College of Southern Nevada to study psychology. Each year, grants in the amount of $1,500 will be awarded to 10 qualified students who are graduates of the juvenile drug court program. The scholarships are intended to assist applicants with school tuition and educational fees during college, trade and/or vocational school attendance. Students who maintain a 2.5 GPA will have the opportunity to apply for a renewal of their grant each semester/term.
The Lehman Scholarship Fund has been set up by Steve Lehman and Jessica Lehman Hirsch to the honor their father, Judge Jack Lehman, who established the first drug court in Nevada in 1992. Scholarships will be awarded to graduates of the Eighth Judicial District juvenile drug court program who demonstrate an interest in furthering their education as part of their path to a better life in recovery. The Lehman Scholarship Committee members, including Nevada State Senator Michael Roberson, Clark County Commissioner Susan Brager, Jessica Lehman Hirsch, Steve Lehman, and a member of the California Community Foundation, made the award based on the youth’s demonstrated ability to overcome challenges in her life and willingness to obtain an education to enhance her opportunities in the future.
“Judge Jack Lehman was ahead of his time when he established the first adult drug court in Nevada. His legacy of investing in the hope and promise of recovery for people in this community will live on through these scholarships,” said District Court Chief Judge Elizabeth Gonzalez.
For those who would like more information on the Jack and Lulu Lehman Scholarship Fund, visit www.calfund.org or contact Marilu Guzman with the California Community Foundation at (213) 452-6260.
“By establishing the first drug court in our state, Judge Jack Lehman took an important step that has turned so many lives around,” said Presiding Family Court Judge Charles Hoskin. “This scholarship, which helps to educate young people who excel in drug court and want to better their lives, is a commendable way to honor the legacy of Judge Lehman.”
Under the direction of Judge William Voy, hearing master Margaret Pickard presides over the juvenile drug court.
“This scholarship offers reinforcement and a hand to the juvenile drug court participants who are getting their lives on the right track,” said Judge Voy. “It provides much needed educational funding, which greatly improves the odds for success for drug court participants.”
Nevada state Senator Michael Roberson and Clark County Commissioner Susan Brager will be joining Jessica Lehman Hirsch, Steve Lehman, and a staff member of the California Community Foundation, as members of the selection committee.
Specialty courts solve issues through a rigorous and coordinated approach between judges, prosecutors, defense attorneys, Parole and Probation, law enforcement and mental health/social service/treatment professionals who work together to help participants recover, live crime-free and become productive citizens.
Tags: Clark County Drug Court, Drug Court, Jack and Lulu Lehman scholarships, Judge Charles Hoskin, Judge Elizabeth Gonzalez, Judge Jack Lehman, Judge Linda Bell, Judge William Voy, Las Vegas Drug Court
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