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Teen Court of Pennsylvania Perspective

Teen Court of Pennsylvania Perspective. What Is a Youth Court?. A juvenile intervention program in which youth are sentenced by their peers in collaboration with adults. Also referred to as: Teen court Peer court Student court. Common Youth Volunteer Roles in Youth Court Hearings*.

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Teen Court of Pennsylvania Perspective

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  1. Teen Court of Pennsylvania Perspective

  2. What Is a Youth Court? A juvenile intervention program in which youth are sentenced by their peers in collaboration with adults. Also referred to as: Teen court Peer court Student court

  3. Common Youth Volunteer Roles in Youth Court Hearings* • Defense Attorney (youth advocate) • Prosecuting Attorney (community advocate) • Clerk • Bailiff • Jurors • Sometimes, a youth judge *Volunteer roles will vary according to the program model the youth court utilizes.

  4. What Makes Youth Courts Appealing? • Serves as a prevention and early intervention program • Offers a way to hold juvenile offenders accountable • Provides a means for educating youth on the legal and judicial system • Provides a meaningful forum for youth to build competencies and practice and enhance skills • Offers an avenue for youth to provide service for and build ties to their communities • Youth empowerment

  5. 18 Teen Court Programs in Pennsylvania Youth Courts in PA

  6. Location of Youth CourtsLocally • Juvenile Justice System-Based • Courts • Law Enforcement Agencies • Juvenile Probation Departments • Community-Based • Private Non Profit Organizations • School-Based School referrals also made to JJ and local Community Based.

  7. To Find a Youth Court Near You… Log on to www.youthcourt.net Click on the “National Listing of Youth Courts” button on the left side of page Click Pennsylvania and find contact information.

  8. Common Elements • Juvenile Diversion programs • Primary First-time low-level offenders – 1st or 2nd step in a system of graduated sanctions • Misdemeanor, non-violent cases • Most Require youth to admit to charge • Most are Voluntary participation • Parental consent/participation mandatory in most

  9. POM Tobacco Assault Alcohol DisorderlyConduct Vandalism Theft Types of Offenses Traffic School 42% Disciplinary 48% Curfew 56% 62% 67% 71% 75% 81% 87% 95%

  10. Common Sentencing Options • More meaningful Community Service that are project oriented • Oral/Written Apologies to victims • Essays on the crime, offense or violation(s) they were referred to youth court for • Jury Duty in Youth Court • Educational Workshops on laws and consequences

  11. Additional Sentencing Options • Restitution • Alcohol/Drug Assessment – not treatment, as those cases should not be handled in youth court unless no other sanction/service exists. • Curfew • Tutoring • Victim Awareness Class or Panel • Drug Testing • Peer Mediation

  12. Adult Judge Model • Youth volunteers serve in the roles of: • Defense Attorneys • Prosecuting Attorneys • Clerks • Bailiffs • Jurors • Adult volunteer serves in the role of: • Judge

  13. Youth Judge Model • Youth volunteers serve in the role of: • Judge • Prosecuting Attorneys • Defense Attorneys • Clerks • Bailiffs • Jurors

  14. Youth Tribunal Model • Youth volunteers serve in the roles of: • Judge(s) • Defense Attorneys • Prosecuting Attorneys • Clerks • Bailiffs • There is NO PEER JURY

  15. Peer Jury Model • Youth volunteers serve as jurors and question the defendant directly • Some programs use youth and community advocates

  16. Federal Youth Court Programwww.youthcourt.net • Serves as an information clearinghouse for information on youth courts • Provides training and technical assistance • Develops and provides resources and publications • Website: www.youthcourt.net

  17. Training and Technical Assistance • Pennsylvania Training Programs to Implement or Enhance a Youth Court. • 2007 PBA/PBI Law Day Booklet Lesson: You be the Judge and Jury – pg. 20 • Technical Assistance • Administrative and Operational Guides and curriculum. • Widener Harrisburg School of Law is working in cooperation in setting up a Pennsylvania statewide organization.

  18. Online training lessons Youth Deliberation process Case preparation techniques for teen attorneys Website www.youthcourt.net http://www.youthcourt.net/national_listing/United_states/Pennsylvania.pdf Federal Youth Court Database to include local and state data and over 6,500 individuals. Other Resources

  19. Support for Youth Court Programs Federal funding [the U.S. Department of Education, Transportation, Health and Human Services and Justice] annually provides approximately $650,000 for the coordination of the National Youth Court program. Local youth courts are funded by a wide variety of means, but the local programs exist mostly through the volunteer effort of involved youth and adults.

  20. Support for Youth Court ProgramsContacts Federal Youth Court Program Website: www.youthcourt.net Phi Alpha Delta Public Service Center Baltimore, Maryland PSC@PAD.Org – Carole Collins, Director U.S. Department of Justice/OJJDP Demonstration Division Scott B. Peterson, scott.peterson2@usdoj.gov 202-616-2368 Pennsylvania Teen Court Association David Keller Trevaskis, Esquire david@leap-kids.com 717-571-7414

  21. William Higgins, Jr., Esquire Bedford County District Attorney 205 Juliana Street Bedford, PA 15522 higginslaw@earthlink.net 814-623-4855

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