| Teen Court's Purpose |
Teen Court is based upon the philosophy that a youthful violator
is less likely to re-offend when a peer jury decides punishment.
Evidence indicates that young people stay out of trouble following
a Teen Court appearance.
It is hoped that Teen Court will interrupt developing patterns of
criminal behavior by promoting feelings of self esteem, motivation
for self improvement and development of a healthy attitude
toward authority. For the offender as well as the non-offender
who serves on the jury, Teen Court challenges youth to perform
at their highest level of ability and places a high priority on
educating young people to the responsibilities of an individual,
family member and citizen.
is less likely to re-offend when a peer jury decides punishment.
Evidence indicates that young people stay out of trouble following
a Teen Court appearance.
It is hoped that Teen Court will interrupt developing patterns of
criminal behavior by promoting feelings of self esteem, motivation
for self improvement and development of a healthy attitude
toward authority. For the offender as well as the non-offender
who serves on the jury, Teen Court challenges youth to perform
at their highest level of ability and places a high priority on
educating young people to the responsibilities of an individual,
family member and citizen.
Teen attorneys discuss and rate
the cases at the begining of each
teen court session
the cases at the begining of each
teen court session
| How Teen Court Works |
Teens have the opportunity to serve as defending and prosecuting
attorneys, clerks, bailiffs, and jurors. They will decide the sentence
for a teen who has admitted guilt to breaking the law or violating a
school rule. Teen Court assigns responsibility to serious and
respectful student volunteers and relies on their participation and
judgement in handling referrals from law enforcement officers,
school administrators, traffic court, juvenile court and the
Department of Juvenile Justice.
The cases are presented in a Sarasota County courtroom. The
presiding adult, a local judge or attorney, calls the defendant to the
stand and swears him/her in. Then the teen clerk reads the charge.
The teen attorneys question the delinquent juvenile to learn the
circumstances of the offense. After carefully listening to the facts,
the jurors leave the courtroom to discuss the constructive sentence
(verdict) for the defendant.
Each offender is sentenced to 8-50 hours of community service,
1-6 jury duties, Peer Circle sessions, drug testing and other
creative sanctions such as reports or letters of apology. They have
6 weeks to complete the sentence. Substance abuse charges can
result in participation in Camp X-R.A.Y.D.- Examine Reality
About Your Decisions, a reality based education program.
attorneys, clerks, bailiffs, and jurors. They will decide the sentence
for a teen who has admitted guilt to breaking the law or violating a
school rule. Teen Court assigns responsibility to serious and
respectful student volunteers and relies on their participation and
judgement in handling referrals from law enforcement officers,
school administrators, traffic court, juvenile court and the
Department of Juvenile Justice.
The cases are presented in a Sarasota County courtroom. The
presiding adult, a local judge or attorney, calls the defendant to the
stand and swears him/her in. Then the teen clerk reads the charge.
The teen attorneys question the delinquent juvenile to learn the
circumstances of the offense. After carefully listening to the facts,
the jurors leave the courtroom to discuss the constructive sentence
(verdict) for the defendant.
Each offender is sentenced to 8-50 hours of community service,
1-6 jury duties, Peer Circle sessions, drug testing and other
creative sanctions such as reports or letters of apology. They have
6 weeks to complete the sentence. Substance abuse charges can
result in participation in Camp X-R.A.Y.D.- Examine Reality
About Your Decisions, a reality based education program.
The teen jury is sworn in before
each trial
each trial
Defendants are tried before an
adult judge by teen attorneys
and a teen jury
adult judge by teen attorneys
and a teen jury
| Good News, Bad News! |
The good news: When the defendant successfully completes Teen
Court, there is no record of a conviction of the charge, suspension
from school is shortened or eliminated, and traffic court costs are
often waived.
The bad news: If the defendant does not complete the verdict, the
case goes back to the referral source and will result in a
conviction, suspension from school and/or traffic court expenses.
Court, there is no record of a conviction of the charge, suspension
from school is shortened or eliminated, and traffic court costs are
often waived.
The bad news: If the defendant does not complete the verdict, the
case goes back to the referral source and will result in a
conviction, suspension from school and/or traffic court expenses.
Teen Court
of Sarasota, Inc.
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