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Teen Justice Do you know what Teen Court is? If you’re thinking that it is similar to Prom court, you are way off! Teen Court is an actual legal Court system, designed just for teenagers. It gives youth a say in the “…solution to teen crime, by participating in the jury. Teen Court helps teens understand the legal system by providing them the opportunity of participating as a juror. As a juror, teens make actual court decisions for the youth that is being tried. As for the minor defendant, only those with first time offense misdemeanors can be tried in Teen Court. Teen Court is a great system that has been created to help prevent crimes, by reaching first time offenders. Most people believe that the only way to prevent further crime is by incarcerating. Teen Court does the opposite, it helps teens realize their wrong doing, thus preventing them from committing another crime. Become a juror for Teen Court, so you can get a feel for the legal system. What is Youth Court? Youth Courts, as funded by the Division of Criminal Justice Services, are courts in which youth between the ages of 12 to 18 years participate as judges, attorneys, and jury members, to adjudicate young offenders accused of violations and certain misdemeanors e.g., criminal mischief, petit larceny. Supervision and coordination of the program is provided by adults. Youth under the age of 18 who have been arrested for committing an offence are typically referred to Youth Court by police or probation departments. The defendant admits to the crime as a condition of participation. At the trial, the jury hears arguments from both sides of the case and passes what it believes to be an appropriate sentence. Generally, this includes a certain number of community service hours. The sentence may also include letters of apology, jury duty, drug or alcohol abuse education classes, victim panel participation, and other community-based sanctions. Why a Teen Court? Teen Court was established to add a new concept of diversion and accountability to the Juvenile Justice System. It is a sentencing hearing directed toward juvenile misdemeanor and select felony offenders who have admitted guilt to a charge. To qualify for participation in Teen Court, certain criteria must be met. Teenage volunteers serve as clerk, bailiff, jurors and attorneys to present the case to the Court. The presiding Judge is the only adult participating in the Teen Court hearing. A major difference between Teen Court and the Juvenile Justice System is that in Teen Court, a minors rights are taken away. Another difference is that in Teen Court, youth defendants have their peers as the jury. Potential teen jurors are recruited from high school government and history classes. Some teachers require students to attend Teen Court, while others provide extra credit. Students who became jurors leave with a better understanding of the legal system. The judge explains to the minor defendant, the rights s/he will lose, and if the minor wants to continue with the process. Dependent on a “yes” answer, the judge swears in the minor and parents(s)/ guardian(s). The judge reads the charges, and then asks the defendant to guilty or innocent. If the minor pleas guilty, the jury will ask questions to see if the defendant is remorseful. If pleaded innocent, the jury will then ask questions to see if the defendant minor is telling the truth. When the jury has finished asking questions, they meet in a room to decide the case and the sentence (or punishment). The court reassembles at the end of the decision, and the verdict is finally read. All this happens in a matter of about half an hour. The sentence that is given might be one or more of the following: curfew; community service; counselling; letter(s) of apology; and a probation contract. If at any time the minor fails to cooperate with the requirements of Teen Court, they will then be tried through the Juvenile Justice System. Teen Court was first conceived and established in 1983 by the Junior League of Odessa, Texas and the City of Odessa. It's purposes were to provide a more positive and effective alternative to an increasingly inadequate and ineffective juvenile justice system and to help combat the growing epidemic of juvenile crime and violence within the community. Teen Court spread to Florida in 1991 when Manatee County first implemented the program.
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