NCJ Number
161075
Date Published
Unknown
Length
29 pages
Annotation
This report describes the Y-Teen Court used in a tri-county area of Texas to divert juvenile offenders from formal juvenile court processing; forms and procedures used in the program are included as well.
Abstract
In Texas, Class C misdemeanors committed by minors (truancy, curfew violations, traffic citations, minor in possession of alcohol) fall within the jurisdiction of local justices of the peace and municipal courts. Traditionally, these offenses are routinely handled with citations and fines. Currently in Texas justices of the peace and municipal court judges are beginning to refer these matters to local teen courts operated by the YMCA. After pleading guilty teen offenders are required to attend a session of Y-Teen Court, where evidence is heard and alternative sentences are given. Local teens serve as prosecuting attorney, defense attorney, judge, and jury. Local volunteer attorneys train teens to become attorneys, bailiffs, judges, and jurors. YMCA staff members serve as sponsors for the Y-Teen Court and as officers of the court. Parents are required to attend the court with their child. Local middle schools and high schools are also beginning to use Y-Teen Courts as an alternative method to empower students to achieve excellence by maintaining discipline, good school attendance, and appropriate school behavior. The teen courts are an effective means of discipline through positive peer pressure, and they have become an instrument in values education and clarification as well as leadership development. Y-Teen Courts function as clubs and provide all the opportunities for YMCA group work experiences. After presenting the philosophy, purpose, and reasons for using the teen court program, this report outlines the court procedure and provides samples of offender information forms and courtroom guidelines. Relevant references to the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure are also provided.