Judge helps teen struggling to support family

Sixteen-year-old Kevin Rodriguez was riding down the sidewalk on his e-bike when a car came around the corner and hit him. 

He wasn’t hurt, however, his bike was broken — leaving him without transportation to get to his part-time job at McDonald’s. 

Kevin’s dad had just had surgery and was out of work for six months, so Kevin couldn’t miss a shift. Most days — trying to work around school, ROTC and wrestling practice — he walked to work for an eight-hour shift. He had no time to do his homework, and ended up in truancy court for missing classes. 

Justice of the Peace Precinct 3 Judge Evelyn McLean was assigned to his case. When she found out Kevin’s situation, she said she was very touched. She and Chief of Staff Cheri Vasquez purchased an e-bike for Kevin to help him get to work. 

“My goal as a Justice Court judge is to keep kids on the right path. If they get off that [path], I help them get back on it so they avoid ever going to a higher court." - Judge Evelyn McLean, Justice of the Peace Precinct 3

“Kevin had to step up and not only go to school and be a student, but he had to work to keep a roof over his and his dad's head,” Judge McLean said. “He’s just a 16 year old kid. He’s doing the best to juggle school and full time work to help him and his dad make ends meet.” 

She called Kevin’s hard working attitude given his circumstances extraordinary, and described him as incredibly respectful and active on his school’s wrestling team. 

“Judge McLean was very understanding, and more than anything, she tried to help [my dad and I] out, rather than punish us,” Kevin told the Sun. 

Judge McLean deals with truancy cases — which are civil cases based on unexcused abscesses from school and use compliance programs and enforcement goals to improve school attendance — on a weekly basis. She may assign them community service, refer them to a mentorship program or require them attend Real Life for Teens meetings. During these meetings, an adult talks about the challenges that teens face and tries to prepare them for the adult world.

“During my years on the bench, truancy cases are some of the most emotionally daunting,” Judge McLean said. “I have kids that, a lot of them have just given up on themselves, but Kevin truly stood out to me. He really did.”

Ms. McLean said she didn’t think Kevin needed any compliance programs, and felt they would interfere with his work schedule. 

“My goal as a Justice Court judge is to keep kids on the right path. If they get off that [path], I help them get back on it so they avoid ever going to a higher court. [...] My heart is to help the kids,” Judge McLean said. “There are some kids that no matter how hard I try, their hearts have hardened and I can't get through to them. But there are a lot of kids who just are so grateful— like Kevin.”

Kevin said Judge McLean was not a stereotypical “mean judge” and noted she was felt more “like a mom.” He found her to be very understanding and views her as a role model. 

Kevin said he is transferring to do a double credit program at Richarte High School that will allow him to leave school a few hours earlier so he can get to work. The program will also allow him to graduate a year early, which will enable him to focus on work. 

With his involvement in ROTC, he said he dreams of joining the Marines, but is facing challenges. He immigrated to the U.S. from Venezuela when he was younger, and he and his father have temporary legal residency status. His family has not received a court date for his immigration case. He needs immigration paperwork to serve the country he considers his own, he said. 

“He is a kid who would like to be at peace in this country,” his father Kegay Rodriguez said. 

“I've had my entire life built here,” Kevin said. “My future is here, and I can't see a future back in Venezuela.”