NCJ Number
244239
Date Published
March 2010
Length
102 pages
Annotation
Findings, recommendations, and methodology are presented for exploratory research on the types of juveniles who are participating in the Monongalia County teen court (Morgantown, WV), which is a juvenile diversion program for youth who have committed minor offenses; volunteer youth service as prosecutors, defense attorneys, judges, and jury.
Abstract
In addition, the study determined whether the teen court was serving its intended target youth, and recommendations are offered for improving the court's operations. The study concluded that the teen court is serving its target audience in the community, i.e., it is acting as a diversion program that gives youth a second chance without being formally processed through the traditional juvenile court. The study notes a difference between the referrals/offenses committed by 14-year-old participants and 15-year-old participants. The study recommends that the teen court collect additional information and conduct more statistical analysis in determining the reason for this difference between age groups. Six other recommendations are offered. First, develop an entrance and exit survey for the juvenile offenders and their parents in order to obtain their impressions of the court. Second, develop a survey instrument for volunteers (adults and youth) to measure the effectiveness of their training for the teen court. Third, develop an exit survey that can be administered to teen court participants at varying intervals in order to measure recidivism rates. Fourth, create a uniform database to house records of the teen court and the probation office, so as to compare the two programs. Fifth, build more positive relationships between the teen court and probation office in order to increase the caseload for the teen court and lighten the probation caseload. Sixth, allow more public relations between professional court staff and the community, so youth and families will understand its purpose and benefits for youth. 19 tables, 3 figures, 48 references, and appended study instruments