Teen justice panel participates in sentencing

Eelow Korgak, 24, received a $300 fine and was ordered to perform 24 hours of community service after pleading guilty to drug possession.

The Rankin Inlet resident was arrested on Aug. 28 for being drunk. When police took him to the cells, Korgak was found to have 19 baggies of marijuana.

Korgak is a hunter who supports his wife and two children from the land, the court heard.

Crown asked for a $600 fine. Defence lawyer Brad McIsaac asked for a fine less than $600 given Korgak’s limited income.

A seven-person panel from Inuksuk high school’s youth advisory committee were invited to suggest a penalty. After hearing the facts and deliberating for 30 minutes, the group recommended a $300 fine and 24 hours of community service.

The panel’s recommendations are not legally binding but were an exercise in peer-based sentencing.

Korgak consented to the panel’s participation.