Y&L Editorials

B. Maurice Ward examines why many King County youth underestimate the risks of firearm possession, warning that a gun's hidden history and legal consequences can alter lives even without violence. He urges adults to address fear and pressure driving young people toward weapons, build trust, and offer safe alternatives, emphasizing informed decisions over judgment.

The Judge Charles V. Johnson Youth and Law Forum, marking over 35 years of legal education for Seattle-area youth, expands this year into AI, social media and cybersecurity. Security architect Rodney Moseley leads a new series using real-world scenarios exploring digital identity, privacy and online responsibility. The free Nov. 14 event features keynote speaker Erin Jones in Tukwila.

Young people often face alcohol, marijuana and counterfeit pills without understanding the risks to judgment and brain development. This piece from the Judge Charles V. Johnson Youth and Law Forum urges honest conversations about substance use, warning that impaired decisions can worsen already difficult situations and change life trajectories, while calling on adults to provide guidance.

Black youth in King County have the drive to work and learn, but often lack access to mentorship, networks, internships and reliable transportation. This commentary from the Judge Charles V. Johnson Youth and Law Forum argues that employers, institutions and community leaders must remove these barriers, ensuring young people know about opportunities and receive genuine support to pursue them.

The 34th annual Judge Charles V. Johnson Youth and Law Forum brought together students, parents, judges, law enforcement, tech professionals, and community leaders to educate youth on the legal and criminal justice systems, opportunities in the tech industry, and the roles these fields play in shaping their futures.

Each year, the community gathers for the Charles V. Johnson Youth and Law Forum to exchange crucial information and engage positively with the Black community and its youth.

Last Saturday, the annual Judge Charles V. Johnson Youth and Law Forum was held at the Tukwila Community Center and the community at-large couldn’t have been more pleased with the outcome. Named in honor of the late Hon. Charles V. Johnson, co-founder of the Youth and Law Forum, the goals of the event are to bring the community together to learn about their legal rights, gain insights and inspiration about the ways in which one can impact their community through the legal system, and to strengthen ties and relationships with key members of the legal and law enforcement communities.