Judge Kathie Hess: Getting Down to the ‘Why?’

As a circuit judge in Arkansas’s First Judicial District, Judge Kathie Hess confronts the systemic issues that drive juveniles into the court system—poverty, substance abuse, and generational trauma.  

"Our goal in juvenile court is to figure out the ‘why’—why a child or family ended up in this situation—so that we can intervene before the child ends up in adult court. Juvenile court should not be a revolving door to the adult system," she explained.  

Unlike adult court, juvenile justice focuses on rehabilitation. Hess sees generational poverty as a key factor trapping families in cycles of hardship.

"I firmly believe in generational blessings and generational curses," she said. "In any generation, you can flip that cycle. I've seen people with every privilege do poorly, and I've seen people with no support system work their way out of poverty."  

Substance abuse is another major issue, often entangling both parents and children. Hess argues that addiction must be addressed as a symptom of deeper struggles rather than as a moral failing.

"We have to stop looking at substance abuse in isolation. Most of the time, when someone is using, it's because they're dealing with overwhelming stress, trauma, or hopelessness. If we don’t address those root causes, we’re never going to solve the problem."  

Children of addicted parents frequently end up in court, repeating the same patterns. "It's heartbreaking," Hess said. "I see young people come into my courtroom whose parents were in the same juvenile court 20 years ago. The cycle repeats itself unless someone steps in and offers a real way out." 

She believes that with the right resources—education, addiction treatment, and job training—juvenile court can break these cycles. "If you put a kid in a situation where they can see a future for themselves, they will often rise to the occasion. But if you punish them and send them right back into the same broken environment, how can we expect a different outcome?" 

Helping Parents Succeed  

Hess shared the case of a struggling young mother of four who lacked a high school diploma and battled substance abuse. Instead of simply penalizing her, Hess connected her with a GED program, training to become a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), and support.  

"Had I just gone in there with a one-size-fits-all approach, I wouldn’t have gotten to the real issue," Hess said. "She was struggling with substance use, but the deeper issue was that she had no degree, no job, and no hope for the future."  

By providing tools for success, Hess gave the mother a chance to create a better life for her children. "I told her that I personally know people who started as CNAs and are now finishing their Registered Nurse (RN) degrees. And I told her how much money she can make with that. If she can see hope for tomorrow, she’s going to be less likely to self-medicate with drugs or alcohol out of despair."  

"The greatest thing that young people and their parents can have is hope," Hess emphasized. "If they don’t believe they have a future, they’re not going to fight for one. We can’t just throw kids in jail and expect things to get better. We have to invest in them, believe in them, and give them the tools to succeed." 

Social Media’s Impact on Young People  

Judge Hess has seen how social media worsens the struggles of today’s youth. "If we want to change the future for these kids, we have to start by looking at what’s shaping their lives today. And right now, social media is playing a bigger role than we ever imagined."  

Before smartphones, children could escape peer pressure at home. Now, social media follows them 24/7. "Unlike past generations, kids today can’t escape peer pressure—it follows them home. Isolation and constant comparison are compounding the struggles they face."  

She warns that social media fuels unrealistic self-image expectations and risky behaviors, with exposure to harmful content starting at younger ages. "The ability to access harmful content is happening earlier and earlier, and social isolation only makes things worse."  

Some parents, she says, inadvertently contribute to the problem. "Some parents use tablets and phones wisely, but others hand them over as a form of babysitting. Without heavy monitoring, children can quickly be exposed to harmful content that shapes their behavior in ways parents don’t anticipate."  

Social media, she argues, exacerbates anxiety, depression, and destructive behaviors. "They have bad days, they retreat to their rooms, and instead of seeking real support they turn to social media, where they compare themselves to influencers, edited images, and unrealistic lifestyles. It’s just compounding the hurt."  

She has seen social media-related conflicts escalate into violence, cyberbullying push teens to despair, and digital exposure fuel underage drug use. "I firmly believe that social media has intensified the struggles kids face today. If you took it away or strictly limited access, I think we would see a significant drop in some of the problems we’re dealing with in juvenile court." 

Solutions To Combat Social Media's Negative Effects

Judge Hess calls for stronger efforts to mitigate social media’s negative effects:  

• Parental Oversight: Parents must monitor social media usage, set screen limits, and encourage face-to-face interaction.  

• Community Education: Schools and community groups should inform parents and students about social media risks.  

• Encouraging Alternative Activities: Engaging youth in sports, clubs, and structured programs can reduce excessive screen time.  

Her message is clear: real change happens when young people and their families are given the tools to succeed rather than being trapped in a system that merely punishes. The future of these young people—and the communities they will shape—depends on action, understanding, and a commitment to breaking cycles.

"If we don’t invest in them now, we’ll be dealing with the consequences later," she noted.