News and Events

Teen Court 2010
Constructive consequences
Teen Court assigns constructive consequences that are designed to help the defendant learn from their mistakes.

Each sentence includes a mandatory Basic Training Workshop, which focuses on responsible decision-making, accountability and juvenile laws.

Letters of apology are also assigned and defendants are to return to serve on the jury for minors referred to the program in the future.

Other workshops discuss substance abuse, shoplifting, and anger management issues. Mediation are offered to resolve family disagreements and issues at home as well as conflicts between peers.

Teen Court also mandates community service of the teens in order to give them the opportunity to gain a sense of civic responsibility.

Appropriate cases for Teen Court referral

Teen Court accepts 1st, 2nd and 3rd offense misdemeanor referrals. The most common offenses referred are:

o Minor in Possession/Consumption of Alcohol, Marijuana, Tobacco, or other Dangerous Drugs
o Shoplifting or Theft
o Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
o Assault or Disorderly Conduct
o Criminal Trespass or Damage
o Interfering with the Peace at School
o False Reporting to an Officer
o Possession of a Weapon
o Felony offenses (if approved by JPPO Office)

Any teen between the ages of 12-17 is eligible to be referred to the Teen Court program. Each teen must admit guilt to the offense for which they have been charged and be willing to complete the sentence assigned by the jury.

Parent Involvement
Teen Court can only work with the participation of the minors' parents. Parents are required to attend the initial Teen Court hearing and a Wrap-Up Appointment at the completion of their child's sentence (30 minutes).

If the minor is assigned the Substance Abuse Prevention Workshop (6 hours), a parent is required to attend.


What happens after a referral is made?

Once the minor and the family have decided that Teen Court is the best option, paperwork is forwarded to the Teen Court staff, and the family is contacted within two business days of receipt. The minor is then scheduled for the next available Teen Court date.

On the date of the hearing, each teen will explain the reasons why he/she committed the offense. At this time, parents will also be given the opportunity to make a statement to the court on their child's behalf. Then a jury of teens will deliberate and decide a constructive consequence based on the minor's testimony in court.

After the hearing, the family will meet with an exit interviewer who schedules the dates for the workshops assigned by the jury. At this time, the prospective completion date is also scheduled. This date is typically 30-45 days after the initial hearing. The teen's probation officer is contacted and given a copy of the teen's contract with Teen Court. This includes his/her assigned sentence and the date on which the teen should complete his/her sentence.

The cost of the Teen Court program is $35. This includes the service fee and the fee for participation. Nonetheless, this should not deter families from participating as staff can make arrangements in order to waive the fee.