Roosevelt High School Teen Court

Teen Court Philosophy Teen Court is a form of restorative justice. Under this philosophy, victims, their families, and the community are seen as the recipients of harm caused by an offender. Restorative justice has roots in Native American community healing practices. Teen Courts are rooted in the belief that the students who volunteer to participate as jurors, clerks, and bailiffs, and the juvenile offender will benefit from participation. The premise is that a juvenile offender will not continue delinquent behavior after participating in a judicial process in which a jury of their peers determines that he/she violated the law and recommends an appropriate consequence.

Typical Offenses Youth Courts will Accept Percentage of Youth Courts that Accept this Type of Offense Theft 91% Vandalism 76% Alcohol 73% Disorderly Conduct 73% Assault 67% Possession of Marijuana 60% Tobacco 59% Curfew Violations 50% School Disciplinary 45% Traffic Violation 39% Truancy 39% Trespassing 38% Criminal Mischief 30% Possession of Drug Paraphernalia 24% Other drug offenses 20% Harassment 21% Fraud 8% Our Teen Courts do not address school disciplinary offenses, traffic violations, and truancy. In LA County, many of these cases are heard in the Informal Traffic system under the Juvenile Delinquency Court. Our Teen Court judges are working to expand caseload. For example, one of our Teen Courts heard a prostitution case where the jury ordered a verdict and meaningful sentencing. Statistical Data from National Youth Court Center www.youthcourt.net

The Los Angeles Model Honorable Superior Court Judge - Jose Sandoval serves as the Volunteer Judge at Roosevelt High Student volunteers take on the roles of: Jurors Court Clerks Bailiffs Interpreters Student interpreter assists Spanish speaking parent. There are 10 Teen Courts in Los Angeles. In some Teen Courts, young people fulfill the role of prosecutor and defense attorney. In other Teen Courts, the young offenders are referred for sentencing only—not for the decision of guilt or innocence. In Los Angeles, a master jury is used whereby selected juvenile offenders are questioned, judged, and sentenced by a jury of their peers.

A Fair Trial Los Angeles Teen Court does not require that minors admit guilt. Jurors are responsible for weighing evidence, the minor’s version of the incident and their credibility to determine guilt and/or sentencing. Master jury model promotes engagement from more students than do other models. For example, there are other Teen Courts that have students act as the prosecution and defense lawyers. In this model, the focus is on a limited amount of student attorneys who are charged with asking all of the tough questions. These students usually have an extensive legal background are preparing to enter careers in law. Everything is done on a volunteer basis (judges, probation, school site coordinators, and attorneys). GRP grant funding will enable the program to purchase a judges’ bench, a jury box, and other needed materials to make the look and feel like a real courtroom. No other LA Teen Court is funded by outside resources. Teen Court will live beyond the life of the grant. Judge Sandoval listens intently to respondent charged with battery on school property.

Guilty? Minors come to court either admitting guilt or with an explanation of their innocence. The teen jurors must ask questions and gather enough information to render a verdict and/or recommend a fair sentence. Judge Sandoval and Judge Wesley give teen court jury pool pre-trial instructions.

Sentencing Jurors are encouraged to be creative when sentencing offenders, yet they are given the following suggestions. Letter(s) of Apology Curfew / Association Counseling / Tutoring Community Service (min. 10 hrs.) (max. 120 hrs.) Jury Duty Essay Incarceration or fines are not allowed.

Superior Court Collaboration with GRP The Roosevelt High School Teen Court is the newest program in Los Angeles and is a result of partnership between the Court, the Mayor’s Office (GRP), Probation Dept. and the LA school district. Any minors who are picked up in the GRP area will be flagged for GRP services including Teen Court. Minors who attend Roosevelt will be referred to Wilson High School’s Teen Court. (This is done to prevent jurors from knowing the defendant). GRP services are offered to Teen Court defendants even after the mandatory 6-month probation period for Teen Court participants ends.

Teen Court Provides Students & Community A better understanding of the juvenile justice system. A better understanding of recurring delinquency problems among juveniles. An intimate look at the judicial system. Exposure to careers in law/court related professions. Exposure to the serious consequences of juvenile delinquency. A meaningful role in helping restore the community.

Teen Court Provides the Juvenile Offender The opportunity to have their verdict of guilt or innocence, and if applicable, their sentence decided by people in their own peer group as opposed to an adult judge. Offers a convicted juvenile offender the incentive of having no record of a criminal conviction if the sentence imposed is completed within a six month period. If the juvenile offender fails to comply with the conditions of informal probation for the entire six month period, the offender is transferred back into the traditional juvenile justice system for adjudication. This informal probation, early intervention program is authorized by Welfare and Institutions Code Sections 236 and 654. Kids can opt out and not do the program, in which case, the matter is referred back to Probation for formal criminal filing. Under the provisions of Welfare and Institutional Code 654, the Teen Court can determine outcomes for youth offenders, but it is not legally binding.

Roosevelt High Teen Court Kick-Off On May 24, 2006 Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa kicked-off our first Teen Court session at Roosevelt High School. 1 session per month/2 cases per session. There have been 3 vandalism cases; 2 fights; and 1 possession. Mayor Villaraigosa addresses the audience at the inaugural session of the Roosevelt Teen Court.

Case # 1 - Petty Theft On March 11, 2006, At approximately 8:09pm. A loss prevention officer observed the minor and her two companions taking selected items from the various display racks and tables. All three suspects enter the fitting room and exited the fitting room without the items. The minor and her companions were detained after they exited the store without purchasing the items.

Disposition 80 hours of community service. Curfew between the hours of 6:00pm and 6:00am. Cooperate in an individual and/or family counseling program. Write a letter of apology to J.C. Penney. Attend 5 Teen Court sessions at Roosevelt H.S. for 3 hrs. of community service credit for each attendance.

Future Partnerships & Innovation Roosevelt High School Hollenbeck Middle School Stevenson Middle School Public Counsel of Los Angeles Los Angeles Center for Law & Justice Los Angeles School Police Explorer Program Los Angeles County One Teen Court per Judicial District and, eventually, Teen Courts at every major high school. Stopping Hate and Delinquency by Empowering Students (SHADES). Model for future collaboration with gang reduction efforts. Hollenbeck and Stevenson Middle School students will be invited as Teen Jurors in following sessions. Public Counsel of LA and the Center for Law and Justice has already sent lawyers to sit with students during diliberations. In addition, they will be presenting in several government classes on civil liberties and rights of the accused.