Education through teen court training

Check back soon for registration information. Teen courts provide a voluntary alternative to traditional adjudication and sentencing for teenagers in municipal or justice courts. Texas teen courts are governed by Section Where offered, young defendants are able to plead no contest or guilty and have their case heard amongst peers. Teen courts have proven very successful in preventing impaired driving and other traffic offenses committed by teenagers. There are multiple aims of teen court.

At the Sixth Annual Youth Court Summit, a number of youth are involved in a mock trial that reenacts an actual case previously heard by a youth court also called a peer court or teen court. The reenactment demonstrates to the audience how peer courts determine the consequences imposed on youth defendants for low-level criminal conduct. In many instances, an adult serves as a judge, but the teenage jury members have the final say in sentencing. Youth courts provide an alternative to the traditional juvenile justice system for first-time, nonviolent offenders.

Educators and service-learning advocates know that--to be most effective--community service needs to be supported by classroom study. This issue of Service-Learning NETWORK explores the notion that youth courts can serve as learning laboratories, not just for youthful offenders but for the entire student body. By providing an ongoing forum in which students can apply critical-thinking, leadership, and civic-education skills, youth courts--also described as teen or peer courts --can help students and teachers complete the service-learning equation between classroom theory and meaningful school- and community-based practice.

The Youth Volunteer Training Package materials may be purchased as a packaged set or individual items can be ordered. Discounted rates are available for bulk orders on volunteer handbooks. Guide for Trainers with lessons for all youth court models on topics such as the American justice system, balanced and restorative justice, conducting a hearing, and deliberating on a disposition.