The purpose of Teen Court, aside from sentencing, is to educate and motivate both defendants and student participants, while promoting better communication between schools, attorneys, defendants, the court, law enforcement and the public, as well as, to learn to make positive choices within their everyday life experiences and routines.
Program Advantages
For the defendant, the advantages are exposure to positive peer pressure and behavior. The defendant is educated in the judicial justice process: through education comes understanding, and with understanding comes respect. The defendant may return as a volunteer in Teen Court after successfully completing their sentence.
For the teen volunteer, Teen Court offers hands-on educational experience with the judicial process and involvement with community service. The decorum required by the courtroom activity requires respect for our laws and each other.
Objective
The objectives of Teen Court are to provide the justice system an alternative in the traditional handling of a juvenile delinquency charge. Teen Court serves as a diversionary program to interrupt the beginning criminal behavior in the juvenile and to assist in recognizing that they are responsible for their behavior. Teen Court also helps an over-burdened court docket in a juvenile court.
Rules Governing Courtroom Conduct
It is a privilege to serve in and use our Courthouse and Courtrooms.
Please show your respect by following the Court Rules.
No gum, hats, sunglasses, shorts, beepers, or cell phones.
Confidentiality Oath
Respect for the confidentiality of Teen Court proceedings and participants is demanded of all volunteers and cannot be overstated. The business of appearing in any court is a personal matter. All aspects of a Teen court session should be considered confidential. The Oath of Confidentiality is required to be taken at the beginning of each Teen Court session by all in attendance:
I solemnly swear that I will not divulge, either by words or signs, any information which comes to my knowledge in the course of a Teen Court session, and that I will keep secret all said proceedings which may be held in my presence.
Failure to respect this Oath can result in dismissal from participation in the program.