Teen Court Greater Williamson County YMCA Teen Court YMCA Teen Court Created for the WCYMCA Teen Court Available with permission only

About Teen Court Sponsored by the YMCA of Greater Williamson County and Judge Edna Staudt. Sponsored by the YMCA of Greater Williamson County and Judge Edna Staudt. All junior high and high school students age 13 and above are invited to participate. All junior high and high school students age 13 and above are invited to participate. Local attorneys, judges, law enforcement officers and probation officers teach and coach court participants. Local attorneys, judges, law enforcement officers and probation officers teach and coach court participants.

Philosophy Teen Court is a voluntary program, which assists teenage offenders in assuming responsibility for their behavior through involvement in the judicial process and work in the community. Teen Court is a voluntary program, which assists teenage offenders in assuming responsibility for their behavior through involvement in the judicial process and work in the community. A jury of their peers, sentences them to constructive service in an agency of their choice A jury of their peers, sentences them to constructive service in an agency of their choice This program seeks to deter teens from future unlawful practices, while providing direct experience in the judiciary system and an understanding of their roles in society. This program seeks to deter teens from future unlawful practices, while providing direct experience in the judiciary system and an understanding of their roles in society. Additionally, the community benefits from these youths’ involvement in their programs. Additionally, the community benefits from these youths’ involvement in their programs.

Goals Hold juvenile offenders responsible for their behavior Hold juvenile offenders responsible for their behavior Promote a positive attitude of teenagers toward authority Promote a positive attitude of teenagers toward authority Provide teenage defendants with a positive experience in the judicial system, Provide teenage defendants with a positive experience in the judicial system, Establish positive relationships between the community and its youth Establish positive relationships between the community and its youth Offer an opportunity for young people to experience the consequences of their behavior without having a juvenile court record Offer an opportunity for young people to experience the consequences of their behavior without having a juvenile court record Expose young people to the realism of the judicial process and the consequences of illegal behavior Expose young people to the realism of the judicial process and the consequences of illegal behavior

Goals Cont… Provide an alternative to juvenile court proceedings Provide an alternative to juvenile court proceedings Promote feelings of self esteem, motivation for self improvement, and development of healthy attitudes toward authority Promote feelings of self esteem, motivation for self improvement, and development of healthy attitudes toward authority Educate the participants about the judicial system Educate the participants about the judicial system Provide a vehicle for students interested in careers in law enforcement, law and legal services, such as court reporting, to participate in the legal process Provide a vehicle for students interested in careers in law enforcement, law and legal services, such as court reporting, to participate in the legal process Involve the community in the juvenile court process Involve the community in the juvenile court process

When Training: One Monday of each month 6:30 p.m. – 8:30p.m. Pizza and drinks provided Training: One Monday of each month 6:30 p.m. – 8:30p.m. Pizza and drinks provided Formal Court Sessions: One Monday of each month 6:30p.m. – 8:30p.m. Formal Court Sessions: One Monday of each month 6:30p.m. – 8:30p.m. Refer to Current Schedule Refer to Current Schedule

Judge In our teen court the teen judge must meet the following requirements: In our teen court the teen judge must meet the following requirements: Be a senior in high school Be a senior in high school Have successfully completed the role of attorney Have successfully completed the role of attorney And must complete the Judicial Training by Judge Staudt And must complete the Judicial Training by Judge Staudt

Prosecutor The prosecutor is the acting attorney for the State of Texas and must recommend the punishments of a person charged with a crime. The prosecutor is the acting attorney for the State of Texas and must recommend the punishments of a person charged with a crime. The objective of the prosecutor is to convince the jury to accept his recommendation on the punishment. This can be done by pointing out the defendant’s lack of responsibility, careless or reckless actions, and disregard for others. The objective of the prosecutor is to convince the jury to accept his recommendation on the punishment. This can be done by pointing out the defendant’s lack of responsibility, careless or reckless actions, and disregard for others. The prosecutor should influence the panel of jurors to punish the defendant to the extent that is appropriate and proportional to the crime that was committed. The prosecutor should influence the panel of jurors to punish the defendant to the extent that is appropriate and proportional to the crime that was committed.

Defense Counsel The defense attorney represents the interest of the defendant who is tried before his peers. The defense attorney represents the interest of the defendant who is tried before his peers. The objective of the defense is to persuade the jurors that the defendant is a responsible person who does not deserve a severe penalty. The objective of the defense is to persuade the jurors that the defendant is a responsible person who does not deserve a severe penalty. The defense attorney should produce testimony that will support the defendant’s good character standing. The defense attorney should produce testimony that will support the defendant’s good character standing.

Attorney Responsibilities The attorneys will observe rules of good conduct during proceedings and act in a mature and responsible manner. The attorneys will observe rules of good conduct during proceedings and act in a mature and responsible manner. They will meet with the defendant, arresting officer(s) and/or witnesses (whichever is appropriate) and prepare a case as best as possible. They will meet with the defendant, arresting officer(s) and/or witnesses (whichever is appropriate) and prepare a case as best as possible. They will present a fair and honest case. They will present a fair and honest case.

Defendant Has been adjudicated on a real crime. Has been adjudicated on a real crime. Has already been found guilty. Has already been found guilty. Has chosen to have their case dismissed by participating in Teen Court. Has chosen to have their case dismissed by participating in Teen Court. Must comply with teen court requirements and finish the sentence given to them. Must comply with teen court requirements and finish the sentence given to them.

Bailiff Is to be the courtroom officer who is in charge of the order in the court session. Is to be the courtroom officer who is in charge of the order in the court session. Has custody of the jury and assists in communication between the jury that is in deliberation and the Judge. Has custody of the jury and assists in communication between the jury that is in deliberation and the Judge. Will open the session by presenting the Justice to the court. “All rise, the Williamson County / YMCA Teen Court is now in session, Judge, presiding.” And administer oaths to jurors and witnesses. Will open the session by presenting the Justice to the court. “All rise, the Williamson County / YMCA Teen Court is now in session, Judge, presiding.” And administer oaths to jurors and witnesses. Will follow the instructions of the Judge in regards to keeping order in the courtroom during the proceedings. Will follow the instructions of the Judge in regards to keeping order in the courtroom during the proceedings.

Court Clerk The Court Clerk is responsible for assuring that all jurists have completed the confidentiality oath The Court Clerk is responsible for assuring that all jurists have completed the confidentiality oath Is responsible for completing the proper paper work noting the decision of the jury. Is responsible for completing the proper paper work noting the decision of the jury. All paperwork should be turned in to the clerk after each session is complete. All paperwork should be turned in to the clerk after each session is complete.

Jurist The jurist is the most important participant in the Teen Court Program. The jurist is the most important participant in the Teen Court Program. Each person must be willing to give their undivided attention to the Judge, witnesses and to each side of the case before them. Each person must be willing to give their undivided attention to the Judge, witnesses and to each side of the case before them. Characteristics of a jurist are that he/she is unbiased, objective and fair to those involved. Characteristics of a jurist are that he/she is unbiased, objective and fair to those involved. The jurist listens very carefully to everything presented. The jurist listens very carefully to everything presented. After all testimony is heard, the jury decides a just punishment. After all testimony is heard, the jury decides a just punishment.

Jury Requirements You are instructed that your recommendation must be unanimous, in deciding the number of community service hours for each offense listed. You are instructed that your recommendation must be unanimous, in deciding the number of community service hours for each offense listed. The defense has asked for _____ hours and the prosecution is requesting _____ hours. The defense has asked for _____ hours and the prosecution is requesting _____ hours. Knock on the door when a verdict has been reached. The bailiff will advise you when you may return to the courtroom. Knock on the door when a verdict has been reached. The bailiff will advise you when you may return to the courtroom.

Discipline Grid Class 1 CLASS 1 (includes but not limited to): CLASS 1 (includes but not limited to): Defective lights/equipment violations Hours Defective lights/equipment violations Hours No seat belt/no helmetAND 1 Jury Term No seat belt/no helmetAND 1 Jury Term Following too closely Following too closely No turn signal/improper turn No turn signal/improper turn Speeding 1-10 mph over posted speed Speeding 1-10 mph over posted speed

Discipline Grid Class 2 CLASS 2 (includes but not limited to): CLASS 2 (includes but not limited to): Driver license violations Driver license violations Failure to yield right-of-wayAND 1 -2 Jury Terms Failure to yield right-of-wayAND 1 -2 Jury Terms Failure to stop at red light/stop sign Failure to stop at red light/stop sign Unsafe lane change/unsafe speed Unsafe lane change/unsafe speed Speeding mph over posted speed Speeding mph over posted speed Disregard traffic control device Disregard traffic control device Exhibition of Acceleration Exhibition of Acceleration Littering Littering Disorderly Conduct – Language Disorderly Conduct – Language

Discipline Grid Class 3 CLASS 3 (includes but not limited to): CLASS 3 (includes but not limited to): Speeding mph over posted speed5 – 30 hours Speeding mph over posted speed5 – 30 hours Speeding – School zone 1-10 mph AND/OR Speeding – School zone 1-10 mph AND/OR over posted speed Driving Saftey Course over posted speed Driving Saftey Course Failure to maintain financial responsibility Failure to maintain financial responsibility Failure to identifyAND Failure to identifyAND Curfew Violation 1-2 Jury Terms Curfew Violation 1-2 Jury Terms Fail to Control Speed Fail to Control Speed

Discipline Grid Class 4 CLASS 4 (includes but not limited to): CLASS 4 (includes but not limited to): Driving without a valid Texas Driving License Driving without a valid Texas Driving License Speeding >26 mph over posted speed25 – 50 hours Speeding >26 mph over posted speed25 – 50 hours Racing – contest for speed Racing – contest for speed Speeding – School zone >11 mph over posted speed Speeding – School zone >11 mph over posted speed Leaving scene of accidentAND/OR Leaving scene of accidentAND/OR Criminal Mischief, TheftDriving Safety Course Criminal Mischief, TheftDriving Safety Course Possession of Drug Paraphernalia,Anger Management Class Possession of Drug Paraphernalia,Anger Management Class Simple AssaultAlcohol Awareness Class Simple AssaultAlcohol Awareness Class Disorderly Conduct – (except language) Disorderly Conduct – (except language) Minor in possession of Alcohol Minor in possession of Alcohol Minor in consumption of alcoholAND Jury Terms Minor in consumption of alcoholAND Jury Terms Fleeing an Officer Fleeing an Officer

Dress Code NO! YES! We require our attorneys and staff to look professional and dress appropriately.  NO blue jeans, shorts, baggy clothing, mini skirts, sleeveless tops, and nothing revealing.  For defendants, the males wear slacks and shirts with collars and the females to wear nice slacks, dresses, or skirts and blouses. NO!

Jury Deliberation Questions Was the conduct malicious or vicious? Was the conduct malicious or vicious? Did the defendant regret or feel sorry for committing the offense? Did the defendant regret or feel sorry for committing the offense? Has the defendant received punishment at home or school? Has the defendant received punishment at home or school? Was any property destroyed, any money taken, or any people hurt? Was any property destroyed, any money taken, or any people hurt? Does the defendant have a history of similar conduct? Does the defendant have a history of similar conduct? Do you think the defendant will commit this crime again? Do you think the defendant will commit this crime again? Was the defendant sincere or serious in giving his testimony? Was the defendant sincere or serious in giving his testimony? What do you think is an appropriate punishment? What do you think is an appropriate punishment? Do you think the defendant will learn a lesson from your decision? Do you think the defendant will learn a lesson from your decision?

Oaths JURY’S OATH: JURY’S OATH: Do you and each of you solemnly swear that you will well and truly try the cause about to be submitted to you and a true verdict render therein according to the law and the evidence, Do you and each of you solemnly swear that you will well and truly try the cause about to be submitted to you and a true verdict render therein according to the law and the evidence, So help you God? So help you God? DEFENDANT’S OATH: DEFENDANT’S OATH: Do you solemnly swear or affirm that the testimony you are about to give shall be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, Do you solemnly swear or affirm that the testimony you are about to give shall be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, So help you God? So help you God?