Teen Court

WHAT IS TEEN COURT?

Teen Court is an innovative alternative to traditional juvenile court proceedings for first-time nonviolent offenders.  This program is based on the premise that young people respond positively to the influences of their peers. 

WHY TEEN COURT?

Teen Court offers juveniles the option of participating in a diversion program that uses peer pressure and early intervention as its main tools in preventing recidivism.  As an alternative to adult-to-youth programs, youth-to-youth systems have been successfully utilized across the country to hold youth accountable and educate them on the impact their actions have on others and themselves.

Whether participating as the prosecutor, defense attorney, or jury member, Teen Court offers students the opportunity to positively impact their peers. Addressing juvenile crime gives court members a “sense of stake” in the community and empowers them to make their communities safer by holding offenders accountable.

WHO APPEARS BEFORE TEEN COURT?

Juveniles are referred to Teen Court by the Wood County Juvenile Prosecutor upon a complaint of delinquency or unruly behavior.  The defendant must:

• be a first-time non-violent offender;
• be between the ages of 13 and 17 years of age;
• have not been under the influence of drugs or alcohol;
• ADMIT INVOLVEMENT;
• have consent from parent/guardians.

WHO MAKES UP TEEN COURT?

Student volunteers are selected from all the area high schools in Wood County and  represent a cross-section of the student population. Teenagers run the entire proceedings with an adult hearing officer presiding.  Local attorneys and court officials train the youth participating in the process.

Prosecuting Attorney: Presents the State’s version of events.

Defense Attorney: Presents the Defendant in the most positive way.

Jury: Responsible for making an appropriate disposition based on the information heard from all parties.

Jury Foreperson: Presents the disposition to the defendant.

Hearing Officer: this is an adult who acts as "judge" for Teen Court and oversees the proceeding.  The Hearing Officer approves or questions the jury's verdict and signs the entry stating the defendant's conditions.
 
Exit Interviewer:  This is an adult who introduces the defendant to the Teen Court.  After the hearing, the Exit Interviewer reviews the court's decision with the defendant and makes sure the defendant knows exactly what he or she must do to comply with the Teen Court order.

HOW DOES TEEN COURT WORK?

Once a youth is accepted for Teen Court, the juvenile must appear before the Judge and admit his/her guilt.  In lieu of a court imposed disposition, the juvenile may be given the option to attend Teen Court.  

The juvenile is notified of their court appearance and has an opportunity to meet with the defense attorney prior to appearing before the court.  The exit interviewer introduces the defendant to the jurors and informs the jury of the charge.  After the prosecutor and defense attorneys present their cases, the juvenile and parents are given an opportunity to speak.  The jury then deliberates and recommends a sentence.  The sentence is read and the juvenile and parents are given a copy of the recommendations.  The juvenile then has a specific time frame within which to complete the sentence. If the juvenile follows through with the conditions set forth by Teen Court, then their case will be dismissed in Juvenile Court with notification being sent to the juvenile, the Judge, and the victim.  In addition, the juvenile must have no further unruly or delinquent offenses that bring him/her before any Court for six months from the date of Teen Court.  Failure to complete the sentence results in the case being set before the Judge or Magistrate.

WHEN AND WHERE IS TEEN COURT HELD?

Teen Court is held the second Wednesday of every month from 5:30 - 8:30 p.m. at the Wood County Juvenile Court.  

DISPOSITIONS

Dispositions or sentences may involve an apology to a victim, community service, referral to a special program or agency, an essay, or any of these.  Teen Court continues to explore new and effective dispositions for juveniles.