NCJ Number
211459
Date Published
2005
Length
36 pages
Annotation
This report presents findings from a nationwide review of youth court programs across the United States between November of 2004 and January of 2005.
Abstract
Youth court or teen court is a rapidly expanding alternative to the juvenile justice system, specifically the juvenile court system, for young people who have committed nonviolent offenses. As of March 2005, there were 1,035 youth court programs in the United States. Youth volunteers work as bailiffs, clerks, jury, and judges questioning the offender, debating and imposing sentences. The goal of youth court programs is to intervene in early deviant and criminal behavior. This report presents findings from an evaluative study on youth court programs across the country and provides policymakers and the public with an overview of youth court programs, their characteristics, and benefits. Select highlights of the study findings include: (1) an estimated 110,000 to 125,000 youth offenders are served in youth court programs each year; (2) on average, 9 percent of juvenile arrests are being diverted to youth courts; (3) returns to investment are immediate with more than 80 percent completing their sentences successfully; and (4) the average costs of youth court programs are estimated as $430 per youth served and $480 per youth successfully completing a sentence. The benefits of the youth court program are felt by the juvenile justice system, youth offenders, volunteers, families, and communities. Youth courts are an effective component of the country’s network for delinquency prevention, early intervention, and civic engagement. References and appendix