TEEN COURT

Also known as… Youth Court Peer Court Student Court

What is Teen Court? A program in which youth are sentenced by their peers Respondents/defendants years old Youth Volunteers years old

Teen Court Provides the Community An early intervention and prevention program A way to hold juvenile offenders accountable A means for educating youth on the legal and judicial system/builds competencies A meaningful forum for youth to practice and enhance leadership skills Teens can use volunteer time for graduation community service hours

Teen Court Provides the Community Immediate consequences for first time offenders Gives young people the opportunity to participate in the decision-making process for dealing with juvenile delinquency Promotes a healthy attitude toward authority and eliminates fear in dealing with the Court system Capitalizes on peer influence An avenue for building ties between youth and their community

Teen Court Provides the Community If youth do not see themselves as being bonded to the social contract that the adult society adheres to, they will see no reason to follow it. Calhoun, J.A. (1988). Violence, Youth and a Way Out. Washington, DC: National Crime Prevention

Most Teen Courts… Function as diversion programs Accept first-time offenders Accept misdemeanor, non-violent cases Require youth to admit to the charge and voluntarily participate in the program Require parental consent for the youth to participate

Youth Courts are a National Program National Youth Court Center The offices of OJJDP, NHTSA, SAMHSA and ABA are strong supporters of youth court 20 different publications about youth court In existence for over 30 years

States with Youth Court Programs As of April youth courts in the US 49 States and DC States without youth court programs:  Connecticut

Who Administers Teen Court? Non-Profit (28%) Juvenile/Municipal Court (16%) Law Enforcement (15%) City/County Government (13%) Probation (13%) Schools (5%) Other (10%)

Teen Court Programs In Colorado City of Arvada Muni Court Aurora Muni Court Brighton Muni Court Burlington High School Chaffe County High School Colo. Springs Muni Court Commerce City Muni Court Durango Teen Court High School Fort Lupton High School Fremont County D.A.’s Office Huerfano CountyIgnacio Teen Court Southern Ute Community Action Programs Lakewood Teen Court Muni Court Probation Montrose Area Muni Court and School Parker Muni Court Pueblo Muni Court Pueblo High School Woodland Park Teen Court -Police Dept.

Traditional Justice System Asks the Questions Who did it? What laws were broken? How will we punish the offender?

Restorative Justice Alternative philosophy for addressing crime Views crime as a violation of people and relationships Views the goals of justice as repairing the harm and rebuilding of broken relationships caused by the harm Active, respectful participation by stakeholders- emphasis on the community’s role in problem solving

Restorative Justice Asks the Questions Who was harmed? What needs to be done to repair the harm? Who is responsible for the repair?

Types of Offenses Possession of Marijuana Tobacco Assault Alcohol Disorderly Conduct Vandalism Theft

Types of Offenses Traffic School Disciplinary Curfew

Common Sentencing Options Community Service Oral/Written Apologies Essays Restitution Jury Duty Educational Workshops

Additional Sentencing Options Alcohol/Drug Assessment Curfew Tutoring Victim Awareness Class or Panel Peer Mediation

Primary Youth Court Program Models Adult Judge Model Youth Judge Model Youth Tribunal Model Peer Jury Model

Adult Judge Model Youth volunteers serve in the roles of: Defense Attorneys Prosecuting Attorneys Clerks Bailiffs Jurors Adult volunteers serve in the roles of: Judge

Youth Judge Model Youth Volunteers serve in the role of: Judge Prosecuting Attorneys Defense Attorneys Clerks Bailiffs Jurors

Youth Tribunal Model Youth volunteers serve in the roles of: Judge(s) – usually a panel of three judges Defense Attorneys Prosecuting Attorneys Clerks Bailiffs There is NO PEER JURY – youth judges determine the sentence

Peer Jury Model Adult or youth volunteer serves in the role of judge or monitor Youth volunteers serves as jurors and question the defendant directly Some programs use youth advocates to provide support for the defendant

Implementation Steps Create Advisory Board Examine legal issues and processes Determine target population and develop referral process Develop court operations and implement effective case mgmt. practices Create Forms Recruit and train volunteers Staffing Funding Marketing Develop evaluation for program

Outreach and Marketing Local High Schools o Arapahoe High School Arapahoe High School o Littleton High School Littleton High School o Eaglecrest High School Eaglecrest High School o Cherry Creek High School Cherry Creek High School o Cherokee Trail High School Cherokee Trail High School o Smoky Hill High School Smoky Hill High School o Grandview High School Grandview High School Local Middle Schools o Campus Middle School Campus Middle School o Euclid Middle School o Isaac Newton Middle School o Laredo Middle School o John Wesley Powell Middle School o West Middle School Horizon Middle School

Questions?