Tyler Jones spent his fall semester as an extern at the Cuyahoga County Juvenile Court under the supervision of the Honorable Anne McDonough, whose court focuses on administering justice, rehabilitating youth, supporting families and promoting public safety. Judge McDonough and Magistrate Elissa Mewhinney also oversee the reentry court’s PATHS docket, which emphasizes successful community reintegration for youth following incarceration.
During his externship, Tyler observed a wide range of trials and hearings, shadowed the Public Defender’s Office, facilitated meetings and toured the detention center, Project LIFT, and other court-affiliated programs. He played a key role in reviewing court materials, developing reentry plans for youth on the PATHS docket and providing recommendations on court practices and procedures. Tyler also collaborated with court staff and program partners to create and facilitate a podcast for reentry youth, offering insight into available resources and support programs.
Through this experience, Tyler gained a deeper understanding of the juvenile justice system, the balance between rehabilitation and community safety and the collaborative efforts among stakeholders working to support youth and families across the state.
Learn more about his experience: