Over 1000 Juvenile Justice Petitioners Lobby Connecticut Officials

April 4, 2011 - PRLog -- HARTFORD, Connecticut  – A grassroots campaign for juvenile justice lobbying Connecticut Governor Dan Malloy and Kevin T. Kane, Chief States’ Attorney was launched at www.change.org four days ago to stop a young man from being incarcerated this Wednesday and sent to maximum security prison for one year due to an adolescent misstep.

Within hours, the online campaign exploded and became one of the most popular on the international advocacy site. This morning, the goal of 1,000 petitioners was exceeded and the message of juvenile justice has been sent to Connecticut officials as well as The President of The United States.  

“It shocks me the way our judicial system works these days,” said one petitioner. “With all the corruption that goes on behind closed doors that they have time to condemn a boy whom at the time was only fifteen who made a video to help protect him against a forced fight….it is ridiculous that they would send him to a maximum security prison.”

Another petitioner writes, “This is an incredibly harsh, life-changing consequence for such a minor offense. I strongly urge the State of Connecticut to reconsider this decision.”

Many signers have commented they have forward the petition to national news media.

Additional comments from petitioners:

“This is absolutely corrupt!! This is obvious that the court system needs money. Why is this case even open five years later?? Cases on murders close before five years. This is absolutely disgusting. I feel terrible for this guy and his family!!”

“This is a travesty of justice. This case was transferred to adult court merely to streamline the judicial process. At the very least, the court should count the eighteen months of house arrest as time served. This is beyond severe treatment of a first time juvenile offender.”

“Please spend your time and the State's money on criminals, not on children who may yet learn how to BECOME criminals in the ‘justice’ system.”

For full background on the case, visit www.change.org and search “David Fernandes Jr.”

Interested parties can support David Fernandes Jr. by signing the petition at www.change.org or by contacting Kevin T. Kane, Chief States' Attorney at (860) 258-5800 or via email at conndcj@po.state.ct.us.