Judge Lauded as Abused Children Get Special Room

A new waiting room for abused children who testify in Juvenile Court was dedicated Tuesday, and Superior Court Judge Napoleon Jones was honored for his role in converting a dismal back room into a comfortable area for child abuse victims.

Jones, a former Juvenile Court presiding judge, approached the Child Abuse Prevention Foundation earlier this year and asked the organization for help in converting the area into a waiting room for child witnesses.

Before the room was remodeled, abused children had to sit on wooden benches outside the courtroom, often next to the person accused of abusing them, said Norma Hirsch, president of the foundation. According to Hirsch, there are 42,000 child abuse cases reported in the county every year and about 3,000 cases end up in Juvenile Court.

A waiting room for families of abused children has also been established at the Juvenile Court, but accused abusers are still required to sit outside, Hirsch said.

Both rooms have been remodeled entirely with donated furniture, carpets, and decorations. The furnishings and labor were provided by several county businesses and individuals. Hirsch said the foundation began soliciting donated items and services eight months ago and “nobody turned us down.”

“Not one red cent of public money went into the remodeling of the two rooms,” Hirsch said.

She credited Jones for the idea of converting the two rooms. “He displayed a lot of sensitivity to the plight of these children. It was largely his influence and determination that made this possible.”

Jones, 45, was appointed to the municipal bench in 1977 and elevated to Superior Court in 1982. He had been a criminal defense attorney in private practice and was a staff attorney with Defenders Inc. He is a former chairman of the Assn. of Black Attorneys and served on the board of directors of the San Diego Black Federation.

Jones received a law degree from the University of San Diego and a master’s degree in social work from San Diego State University.