Orange County Superior Court Judge Maria Hernandez congratulates Diego as one of the latest graduates of Young Adult Court. Photos by Mimi Ko Cruz
Orange County’s Young Adult Court marks 76 lives transformed
The words never get old.
“Congratulations, you are now felony free.”
Orange County Superior Court Judge Maria D. Hernandez repeated them five times on a recent afternoon, one by one, to five young men sitting before her bench. Each time, the courtroom — packed with family members, children, case managers, attorneys, probation officers, researchers and community supporters — responded with applause and some teary eyes.
It was a celebration of second chances.
The graduation brought the total number of graduates of Orange County's Young Adult Court to 76 since the program launched eight years ago. That’s 76 first-time felony offenders between the ages of 18 and 25 who earned their way to a clean record through 18 months to two years of accountability, hard work and transformation.
“Seventy-six individual lives that are not going to have felony convictions on their records,” Judge Hernandez told those gathered. “But, I can tell you that countless thousands of other people — family members, community members — have been positively impacted because of the trajectory change that this program already has provided.”
Five voices, five journeys
The five men who graduated on July 10 came to the program from different circumstances, but their journeys traced a similar arc: from crisis, to doubt, to growth, to something that looked unmistakably like hope.
One graduate, who asked not to be identified, described his 18 months in the program as a reinvention he hadn't seen coming. He credited his case manager, Ysmael, whose support extended well beyond the courtroom, including an afternoon at a local miniature golf center that became, unexpectedly, a turning point.
“Moments like that helped me feel supported and reminded me that people genuinely cared about my success,” he told the court.
His advice to future participants was simple: “The more you focus on your specific task, the faster the progress will be.”
Jose, who graduated with honors after completing all six available therapy group sessions, said he entered the program having already accepted that his life had hit a dead end. What he found instead was a full transformation — mental, spiritual and personal.
“I remember thinking I couldn’t just give up,” he said. “Thankfully the Lord never gave up on me.”
He closed with a vision that drew audible emotion from the room: “I’m excited to see this program continue to grow and hopefully expand into other counties of California. Sometimes all we really need is a little hope, some support and an opportunity for a second chance.”
Diego arrived having spent much of his teenage and adult life on probation, and said the program initially seemed too generous to be real.
He completed a DUI class, maintained employment, participated in a three-month program with Project Kinship, and earned work experience hours through Ready Set OC. A Disneyland trip with his young son stood out as a highlight.
“My life has now changed in a lot of ways, thanks to this program,” he said. “One of the hardest parts about this program is being looked at differently when you have a felony on your record, and now with graduating, I will no longer have to worry about that.”
Miguel said he entered the program lost, running with the wrong crowd and using drugs.
When law enforcement raided his family's home, he said, something shifted.
“From that exact moment, I accepted accountability,” he said.
In county jail, he prayed for a second chance. Young Adult Court delivered one, and he made the most of it, completing welding school and earning his certification. He now has his sights set on joining the welders union, building cars and eventually starting his own business. He also graduated with honors.
Kevin arrived without motivation or clear goals. He leaves with a philosophy: “Motivation comes and goes, but discipline stays forever.”
Over the past 18 months, he said, the program gave him tools to set goals and keep reaching. He is now studying for a professional license, with plans to travel and visit family abroad.
Science meets the streets
What makes Young Adult Court distinct, and what has drawn observers from as far as the Riverside Superior Court, whose leadership attended the ceremony to explore expansion, is its grounding in developmental science.
The program was built on research showing that 18-to-25-year-olds reoffend at higher rates than any other age group, yet are also uniquely responsive to intervention. It was launched through a collaboration between Judge Hernandez and Elizabeth Cauffman, UC Irvine professor of psychology, along with Cauffman's former postdoctoral student Zachary Rowan, now a faculty member at Simon Fraser University in Canada, and partners including the Orange County Probation Department, the Public Defender and Defense Bar, the District Attorney's Office, and the Orangewood Foundation.
“This brings science to the streets,” Cauffman said. “This court is developmentally appropriate and helps change lives for the better.”
California Attorney General Rob Bonta, unable to attend in person, sent a video message to the graduates.
“This is more than a milestone,” he told them. “It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to turn a new page, to show the world and yourself what's possible. Your past does not define you. The choices you make today, the effort you put in, and your commitment to growth will shape your future.”
From graduate to mentor and beyond
In the audience was Abraham, the very first person ever to complete the innovative Young Adult Court program, sitting alongside young men walking the same path he once did.
He has been accepted at UCLA, with a full scholarship and he plans to major in psychology.
“I want to give back to underserved communities,” Abraham said. “I’ve been in those struggling shoes before. When the time comes, maybe I'll open my own clinic. I'm glad to be on the right path and I'm grateful for everyone who had a hand in my dream.”
— Mimi Ko Cruz
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