Youth court celebrates first graduates

Sharlene DeZolt thought she would live the life of a meth addict forever.

After eight years, there seemed no other way to live.

That was until a routine traffic stop started a chain of events that would save her life.

DeZolt landed in Judge Cedric Kerns' courtroom, where she participated in Youth Offender Court on the sixth floor of the Regional Justice Center, 200 Lewis Ave. Kerns created the yearlong specialty drug court in April. Defendants, ages 18 to 25, don't enter the affectionately nicknamed "YO Court" program because of drug convictions. Many arrive after failing to pay their traffic fines because they decided to feed their addictions instead. Judges in other courtrooms hear that Kerns' program seems to be working and send their defendants to him.

Defendants and their families are mandated to sign a contract with Kerns that they will attend court sessions, fulfill counseling requirements, find a job and complete community service.

Eleven months later, a teary-eyed DeZolt addressed Kerns during her final court appearance as a YO Court defendant on March 3. She was the first to graduate after successfully completing the program. Among the lawyers, marshals, clerks, assistants, parents and fellow offenders, there wasn't a dry eye in the courtroom as DeZolt recounted where she came from, how she struggled for her sobriety and her success in the YO Court program.

"A year ago, I didn't know who I was," DeZolt said. "I'd be lying if I said this was easy. I learned I have everything to live for in my two boys. If I can't take care of myself, how can I take care of two innocent lives I brought into this world?"

At her low point, she didn't think about how her drug use would affect her twin 5-year-old boys, Gerardo and Geovani . They squirmed on the court benches and played on the floor, oblivious to their mother fighting back tears and trying to put into words her gratitude for regaining her life. All they knew was, "Mommy used to be bad," DeZolt said of her sons.

"This means I get to move forward with my life, and I get to put this in the past," she said. "This will always be a part of who I am, but now I get to have a clean life. It feels great. I feel healthy. I feel like I was born again."

At times, she was critical of the program, pointing out areas needing improvement regarding court advocates.

"Kerns being hard on us and telling us what we needed to do helped me get to where I am," DeZolt said. "But I feel our advocates could have been more on top of everything as far as where we're at. I feel like we should have someone to tell us where we need to be and where we were lacking."

Cheryl Panasiuk wiped away tears as she thanked the judge for never giving up on her daughter.

DeZolt seemed so different from the drug-induced zombie daughter who was pulled over for driving high, failing to stay in a marked lane and keeping paraphernalia in her car, Panasiuk said.

She turned to her daughter.

"Now this beautiful person has come out to shine ... in 12 short months," Panasiuk said. "You are an inspiration. I never thought this day would come. I remember when you were arrested and looking at your grandparents and saying, 'Thank God. At least we know she's safe.' "

She placed a key-shaped locket around her daughter's neck, symbolizing "the key to her future."

DeZolt's success is the pinnacle moment all of Kerns' defendants are trying to achieve. Drug addicts are expected to relapse five to seven times while attempting recovery, according to the national average. About half of the 30 or so offenders have relapsed during the program.

DeZolt and the other graduate, 23-year-old Amanda Schaum, were addressed by Nevada Supreme Court Justice Nancy Saitta.

"The success you two show and hope you provide is beyond anything I've been a part of," Saitta said. "It's an honor to be a part of a system that works. We don't get to say that very often."

Saitta praised a red-faced Kerns for stepping in and saving the lives of his defendants.

"Very few of us take the time to give of ourselves," she added.

Kerns showed the packed courtroom -- about 80 families, offenders, community partners and media crammed in to watch -- a video made by defendants and another made by the court to reflect on the year's first program.

Natasha Bedingfield's song "Unwritten" played in the background, its lyrics symbolizing what drug addicts go through in the fight for their sobriety and a rebirth for a second chance at life.

Among the gifts given to the former defendants were show tickets and picture frames signed by the other offenders. Taped to the back were envelopes with their mugshots.

"So you remember where you were and how far you've come," Kerns said, laughing.

The two girls also were given recovery journals to continue documenting their sobriety for the next five years.

Kerns stepped down from his bench and hugged the two girls one last time before dismissing their cases.

He beamed like a proud father.

Thunderous applause echoed in the courtroom as offenders and their families rushed the graduates to congratulate them on their success.

"Between all of you, you saved my life," DeZolt said.

Contact Downtown and North Las Vegas View reporter Kristi Jourdan at kjourdan@viewnews.com or 383-0492.