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Welcome to Teen Court , an Option of the
Diversion Program of Island County Juvenile Court .
In Teen Court, juvenile offenders are held accountable
by a jury of their peers. This program offers unique opportunities for all participants to:
Learn
about the consequences of criminal behavior & to make positive
contributions to the community.
Teen Court provides youth
offenders and community youth the chance to participate in a community
service project. The program gives teens the opportunity to weigh
the effects of criminal behavior on the community and have a voice
in determining the community's response. Teen Court participants
deal with the rights and responsibilities of individuals and the
role of citizens in our justice system.
Supporters of Teen Court
believe that teens can thoughtfully and responsibly represent
community interests as well as defend and sentence youth offenders.
Teen Court is a place where peer pressure can exert a positive
influence of teen behavior. Program goals include: 1) Educating
the offender about the effects of his/her crime on others; 2)
Shortening the time needed to resolve charges; 3) Reinforcing
a sense of community responsibility for all participants.
Teen Court hears cases
that involve first time youth offenders. The offenses involved
are misdemeanors or gross misdemeanors, and do not normally include
offenses involving weapons and gang activity.
In Teen Court , the offender
admits to the offense and then goes before a juryof high school
students who determine the restorative justice penalties. The
jury is a mix of non-offender volunteers and those who previously
had their own charges resolved in Teen Court , Diversion, or Juvenile
Court. High school students serve as advocates, presenting the
case to the jury on behalf of the State and the accused. Other
students serve as bailiffs, clerks, and student judges. Volunteer
attorneys serve as mentors for the advocates.
Two cases will be heard
in a two-hour evening session once a month from September to June.
Eligible youth are referred to the program by the Island County
Juvenile Court Services. Failure to comply with the disposition
of the een Court will result in referral of the case back to the
Island County Prosecuting Attorney for formal prosecution.
Throughout the country,
Teen Courts report successful outcomes and reduced recidivism.
Youthful offenders often respect the judgments of their peers
more than those handed down by adults. Offenders have a better
sense of the wrongfulness of their conduct and have a chance to
change in a positive manner. This type of restorative justice
benefits the entire community, not just the youth facing a teen
jury.
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