Teen Court

Teen Court is a nationally recognized early intervention and restorative justice program for juveniles (ages 12-18). It is a diversionary court that keeps first time teen offenders with traffic infractions and misdemeanor offenses out of the traditional court system. The teen accepts responsibility for their offense, appears before a judge, and their peers, and is sentenced. The teen faces consequences that help them to learn from their mistakes and make amends for their actions. The sanctions are determined by the Teen Court jury, and usually include community service and jury duty at future Teen Court hearings.  Other possible sanctions can include, being required to write an essay, letters of apology, educational programs, gender-specific programs, and substance abuse prevention workshops.