Teen
Court Program
Teen
Court Program Overview
Teen Court is a
community-based, Court-operated intervention program designed to
provide an alternative response from the juvenile justice system for
the first-time misdemeanor offender. Teen Court adheres to the
restorative justice theory, which is based on the premise of
accountability to the victim and community, as well as adding an
educational component. Teens, having admitted their involvement to
various charges, receive their sentencing from other teens. Teen
defendants in turn, serve as jurors, attorneys or bailiffs in the cases
of other teens. This provides teens with the opportunity to impact
other peers in a productive and positive way by imposing appropriate
and fair dispositions (sentences). Teen Court holds juvenile offenders
accountable and provides educational enlightenment for the youth into
the juvenile justice system. It is with this information and knowledge
that the youthful offender becomes better equipped to make better life
choices, change negative behaviors and leads to the enhancement of
public safety. Successful completion of this diversion process can
result in the youth not having a formal court record.
Who
Can Attend Teen Court?
- Youth referred by a Juvenile Court
Magistrate or by the Juvenile Intake/Diversion Department.
- Youth charged with misdemeanor
offenses, who are first-time offenders.
- Youth between the ages of 11 and 17
at the time of the offense.
- Youth who acknowledge/admit their
involvement in the offense.
- Youth who have parental or guardian
consent.
- Youth who can commit to participate
in a 5-week program.
Are There Specific Rules
for Teen Court?
- No cell phones, MP3 players or IPods
- No mini-skirts or shorts
- No T-shirts with writing on them
- No tobacco products
What Sentencing Outcomes
are Available with Teen Court?
Sentences
may involve any combination of the following:
- An apology to a victim or parent.
- Community service hours.
- An essay on a topic determined by
the jury.
- A research paper regarding the law
that was broken.
- Maryhaven Drug and Alcohol Program.
- Multiple on-line programs such as
the YES program, 3rd Millennium Stoplifting, 3rd
Millennium Alcohol-wise and 3rd Millennium Marijuana-101.
- In addition to the jury sentence,
the defendant is required to serve on the jury or in some other
capacity in Teen Court for a 5-week period. Other elements included in
a disposition may take up to 90 days to complete.
Who are the Teen Court
Participants?
Teen Court
is comprised of youth who would have been defendants in the traditional
juvenile justice system. Teen Court hearings are conducted by teenagers
with an adult program coordinator overseeing the process. Court
contracted hearing officers, who are adults preside over the hearings.
What About Parent
Involvement?
Parents
must accompany their teen for the following:
- The teen’s initial appearance with
the Hearing Officer or meeting with the Diversion Counselor/Family
Assessment Officer prior to the referral to Teen Court.
- The parent/teen orientation.
Who is the Program
Coordinator and Supervisor?
Nathan Caupp, Program Coordinator
Julie O’Reilly Troth,
Deputy Director of Juvenile Programs and Services
614.525.3249
Where is the Teen Court
Program Located?
Franklin
County Juvenile Court, Youth Education & Intervention Services
399 South Front Street
Columbus,
Ohio 43215
Hours of
Operation:
8:00 a.m. to
5:00 p.m, Monday, Wednesday & Friday
11:00
a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Tuesday and Thursday
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