NCJ Number
166156
Date Published
1995
Length
13 pages
Annotation
This evaluation of the Teen Court in Santa Rosa, Calif., addresses the characteristics, backgrounds, and outcomes of program referrals.
Abstract
Routes for Youth, a nonprofit agency established to create opportunities and strategies for youth to effect positive long- term change in their community, developed the Teen Court project in 1993. The Teen Court's objectives were to be a responsive front-end, peer-based program that holds youth accountable to the community for their actions, so as to reduce probation and law enforcement time spent on less serious offenses, provide participatory opportunities for the community to be involved in the response to juvenile crime, and create a process in which the offender can make restitution both symbolic and financial to their victims. Referred from law enforcement and schools, misdemeanor cases are heard in a formal courtroom setting that is staffed by trained teens and presided over by volunteer attorneys. All juvenile offenders are required to serve as courtroom jurors, and their individual accountability may include community service, financial restitution, and an apology letter to victims. The Teen Court program has five specific program- related objectives: a reduction in recidivism for the target population; law-related education; opportunities for a positive, collaborative relationship between law enforcement and youth; the collection and distribution of financial restitution; and community service work. For 1994, the program exceeded its goal of 200 youth referrals, and it also exceeded its goal of a recidivism rate of less than 20 percent. Over the 18-month period of January 1993 through June 1994, less than 3 percent of Teen Court referrals were reported by juvenile probation as rearrests. During this period, 238 youths were admitted and participated in the program. Of these referrals, six had been rearrested. Besides learning basic courtroom procedure and protocol, youth trainees are mentored by adult attorneys in listening and communication skills, traditional conflict mediation techniques, and how to research and analyze police reports. During 1994, Teen Court heard 137 cases in which the defendant agreed to and completed the sentences given by the court. This report presents data on the collection and distribution of financial restitution and community service work. A section on juvenile probation referrals describes the characteristics of these referrals as well as a profile of offenses and outcomes. Evaluation needs and concerns are also discussed. 5 tables and 2 figures