Teen Court is a legally binding alternative system of justice that offers young offenders an opportunity to make restitution for their offenses through community service, educational classes, and jury service. This allows them to avoid fines and sentences handed down by the criminal justice system. Teen Court tries Real Cases with Real Consequences. Teen Court is a "hands on" educational opportunity that allows both offenders and teen volunteers to better understand our system of justice.
Teen Court is not for determination of guilt or innocence, the juvenile first enters a plea guilty and only then is a referral made to Teen Court for alternative sentencing. A youth referred to Teen Court has his/her case argued by teenage prosecuting and defense attorneys before a jury of peers, consisting of volunteers from local high schools and returning youth who were previously defendants. The teen jury determines each defendant’s sentence based on the nature of the offense committed. Each offense is categorized into a particular class, which determines the number of hours of community service to be given. Each defendant is also sentenced to serve a number of jury terms, as well as attend an educational class.
How Does Teen Court Work?
After a juvenile enters a plea of guilty to the charge, the judge refers the case to Teen Court under Article 45.052, Texas Code of Criminal Procedure.
Each defendant is appointed a volunteer teen defense attorney. Volunteer teen prosecutors are assigned to represent the state. Adult attorneys train the teen attorneys, and prior to the court session, meet with them to discuss each case.
Each hearing is conducted before a jury comprised of volunteer teens and/or past defendants completing their sentence. At the conclusion of each case, the jury retires to deliberate before handing down a constructive sentence of jury terms and community service hours.
Who is Eligible for Teen Court?
Youth who are under the age of 18 and are full-time students seeking a high school diploma may have the option of Teen Court. Teen Court is available for most Class C misdemeanors such as minor in possession of alcohol or tobacco, theft less than $50.00, disorderly conduct, and traffic offenses. A defendant may only successfully complete Teen Court once within a two-year period.
Under Article 45.052 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure and Section 54.032 of the Family Code, successful completion of the sentence given by the Teen Court jury within a 90-day period results in dismissal of the citation. If a juvenile defendant fails to complete the Teen Court sentence, he or she must re-appear in Court, at which time the judge enters a conviction and imposes a fine and court costs.
Who Benefits from Teen Court?
The Community and City: Teen Court provides a structured volunteer force to non-profit organizations and agencies, saving these entities thousands of dollars in labor costs each year. Teen Court gives teens and adults a way to work together, thereby providing adults the means to become educated as to the excellent citizens most teens really are.
Additionally, Teen Court provides a positive, meaningful alternative in which police officers may have confidence that the defendant will take responsibility for their actions.
The Defendant:
Teen Court gives the teen defendant a way to take responsibility and make restitution themselves (rather than parents paying the fines). It gives teenagers an opportunity to experience the satisfaction of contributing to the community while gaining valuable work experience. The teen also has a chance to become acquainted with the judicial system.
The Teen Volunteers:
Teen Court gives teen volunteers (those who choose to be attorneys, bailiffs, jurors, and court clerks) the opportunity to experience the legal system first hand on a continuing basis and possibly influences career choices. It gives them an avenue where teens from all schools, backgrounds, and abilities learn about each other in the process of working together. Teen Court also gives interested teens the opportunity to receive recognition and find a new level of success in an activity that is not based on academics, but on character traits of responsibility, dependability, honesty, cooperation, etc.