Attorneys that Throw Shade & Judges that Spill Tea - The Phenomenon of Teen Courts

       Even though this author was a relatively well-behaved, teen, my parents did complain about the fact that when I did get in trouble, I was stubborn about expressing whatever I thought was right (or wrong) about the situation I found myself in.  Soon, parents nationwide with teens that are skilled debaters may get to see their kids argue their points in a courtroom.  Youth courts are, as the kids would say, "lit"--and these specialized diversion programs are emerging in more and more jurisdictions.

       Youth courts, also called teen/peer/student courts, are adjudication schemes by which minors can act in attorney,  judge, or jury member roles, resulting in a sentencing truly of their peers.  Teen courts serve as an alternative to going through the juvenile justice system, a blessing for offenders, most of whom are first-time, non-violent offenders.  Typically, participants are between ages 11 and 17, and defendants are facing Class C misdemeanor charges such as theft, vandalism, disorderly conduct, possession of marijuana, or are fighting traffic citations.  According to the National Criminal Justice Reference Center, these kinds of courts help (1) increase awareness of delinquency issues within local communities and (2) mobilize youth to take an active role in addressing local juvenile crime.

       So, how do these teen courts operate?  Local prosecuting attorneys can recommend certain cases of theirs to the student court, a recommendation that often comes only when the youth first admits to their crime.  The teen then states their case in a municipal courtroom, with a teen volunteer as judge and other teen volunteers as the jury.  All cases are kept confidential.  Sentences for those found guilty can consist of community service, some form of rehabilitative class or counseling, and other creative forms of restorative punishment.  The kicker?  Over half of teen courts require that the teen defendant come back on a later date to serve as a teen juror in another's case.  This is an interesting dichotomy from the adult justice system, seeing as most states prohibit felons from jury service altogether.

       Teen courts are opening in more and more jurisdictions, with recent success stories coming from Pflugerville, Texas, Newark, New Jersey, and various counties in Illinois.  Minors are finding it a better option than paying fines and keeping these minor offenses on their juvenile record.  Moreover, this system helps improve morale in what is likely a scary time, letting teens feel like they got a fair shake in the justice system.  Giving these students a chance to tell their stories and be heard by their peers fulfills the same community and counseling functions as adult court.  In addition, the requirement of future teen jury duty makes it so that these individuals are contributing to the process. 

       All in all it appears that, despite parental best efforts, teens are benefitting from talking back.  A 2002 research investigation found that compared to other routes, teen courts helped reduce recidivism.  Who knew peer pressure could be a good thing?  With over 100,000 youth offenders finding their way to youth courts annually, this number will likely continue to rise, and more research should be done on the impacts of these tribunals.

If you are a teen reader or a parent to a teen and you would like to share your perspective on this topic, post a comment below.

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