Released on = February 14, 2006, 10:30 pm

Press Release Author = Donna Gallegos, Justiceforjuveniles.org

Industry = Law

Press Release Summary = Child advocate groups and concerned citizens nationwide wait
to see what New Mexico has planned for convicted teen, Cody Posey.


Press Release Body = New Mexico's crusade against Cody Posey is led by District
Attorney Scot Key. If the district attorney gets his wish, Cody could face a minimum
of 47 years in adult prison. Advocate groups nationwide point out that one of the
most glaring faults in our justice system, is the manner in which children accused
of serious crimes are treated from arrest to conviction. Luckily, New Mexico does
provide alternatives to the \"adult crime, adult time\" theory of justice. Already a
victim of a severe child abuse and infamous due to extreme media coverage, Cody will
be a target for every predator in an adult facility and most of New Mexico's youth
detention facilities.

As a juvenile, Cody could be held in custody and treated at the Sequoyah Adolescent
Treatment Center. Defense Attorney Gary Mitchell says "Cody has responded very well
to treatment for the past two years". Facilities like Sequoyah can focus on his
mental and emotional health by creating a plan to ensure that Cody grows to
adulthood with minimal damage inflicted by the system.

Cari Barichello, a certified paralegal from Illinois and administrator of advocate
group, Justice for Juveniles says "Judge Counts is the only hope left for Cody to
get the help and support he needs. Thousands are praying that Judge Counts will stop
the abuse Cody has suffered since birth. Don't warehouse him, give him a safe
environment. Don't isolate him, give him the counseling and rehabilitation he needs.
Don't let the beatings and sexual assaults continue, give him nurturing and love.
Mostly, don't treat him as the adult he is not."

Although New Mexico boasts a balance surplus, no facilities or programs have been
funded to treat and rehabilitate children convicted as adults. Forensic Document
Examiner and child advocate John Osborn says "We no longer can lay claim to the best
justice system on earth, because of the stain of our children\'s blood and the stench
of vengeance as detected in the words of prosecutors who have lost their sense of
fairness when it comes to children. Legislators have exhibited laziness and lack of
vision by simply allowing younger and younger children to be moved into the adult
criminal arena, rather than revising juvenile laws to protect both society and
children accused of crimes."

New Mexico citizens and the nation firmly challenge the legislators in New Mexico,
to take quick action and take a look at the Convention on the Rights of the Child
ratified by almost 200 nations. We call upon all Human and Civil Rights
Organizations to immediately address how children are being judiciously treated in
this country. No child under the age of 18 years old should ever be given a life
sentence.



Media Contact: Cari Barichello
Email: Justiceforjuveniles@yahoo.com
http://www.Justiceforjuveniles.org


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Web Site = http://www.justiceforjuveniles.org

Contact Details = Donna Gallegos
3042 E Olive Rd
Pensacola, Florida 32514
850-969-9575