*Classification of Teen Courts
*There are nine(9) Major Classifications with forty-five (45) sub-classifications of programs referred to generically as teen courts. Class I - District Teen Courts; Class II and III- Teen, Youth, Peer Courts; Class IV-Student School Courts; Class V-Tribunal Courts; Class VI-Jury Panel Courts; Class VII and VIII-Adult-Teen Assisted Teen Courts; Class IX-Part-Time Teen Courts.
*Please note that the only true teen court is one in which the court staff from the judge on down to the clerks and bailiffs are actually teenagers. An adult, of course, must be present, but more of an overseer than a participant. This will become clearer as you read through the following classifications and subcategories. There are a variety of programs, such as student courts, youth courts, peer courts, teen jury, teen tribunal, adult-teen assisted teen courts, and others, that are commonly and generically referred to as teen courts, and hereafter referred to as teen courts in general.
In addition, the following information is general in nature and does not address specific issues that explain all the reasons for the conditions and standards outlined. For example, in most cases, defendants participating in teen courts have been referred as a result of being found guilty, pleading guilty or nolo contendre (no contest), and therefore, no teen court should be entertaining plea bargains from any defendant, nor is there any real reason to allow additional witnesses during a trial. The teen court program may be associated with the punishment phase of regular courts. If you can recall, many times you will hear or read the news in which a defendant must return to court for final sentencing after being found guilty to allow the court time to deliberate over what would be an appropriate sentence. Make no mistake about it, a great deal of research and experience went into the development of the following information.
*Further note that the purpose of setting these classifications is to provide referring courts, agencies, schools, etc. with a better understanding of what is involved in the program that they are referring cases to and the standards that they operate under. This classification system was developed in 1989 as a means of setting guidelines and standards in an area which had none. This classification in no way is intended to belittle or ridicule any program calling itself a teen court for the purpose of providing assistance, guidance, and direction in an area that needs it. Any organization or individual that takes personal offense to this classification system should understand that it is merely a guideline and a fairly accurate one at that. If you feel that we are stating that you do not have a teen court program at all because of some factors in the classification system, be aware that we do recognize all programs calling themselves a teen court, but we recognize the programs as operating under a special classification. If despite, this explanation, you still feel offended, then perhaps you need to understand that the letter Q in the alphabet is no less important than the letter A, despite one letter being the first in the alphabet and the other not. Even if one letter is used more often, both are used to spell words used to communicate. So, rather than take offense, or look for excuses as to why your program operates one way instead of another, search out what can be done to improve your program, if in fact, it needs to be improved. Historically and through today in many areas there are a number of programs that call themselves teen courts, which, however, fail to maintain the majority of standards outlined below. If a teen court program does not have a written certification of its classification under the following standards, a referring court or agency should address questions to the teen court for the purpose of determining the type of classification it would be considered to be operating under based on the following information. In this manner, the referring entity would have a better understanding of where they are referring cases to.
The following classifications and standards were set up in 1989 by the National Teen Courts of America and now continue to be the accepted classifications and standards of the National & International Teen Courts Association. No court system, agency, or school need accept these standards and classifications as set forth below, however, they do undoubtedly provide a means of describing the teen court programs without question, as well as point out a number of concerns and risk factors.
FINAL NOTE: THE CLASSIFICATIONS REPRESENT THE MINIMUM STANDARDS FOR THAT CLASSIFICATION. In theory, there could be dozens of sub-subclassifications under the subclassifications. In other words, as a comparison, if a school grade of a B represented anything between an 80 and an 89 or 3.0 up to a 3.9, it still would be a B, although it is obviously that an 89 is better than 80, but both are still less than a 90. So it is with these classifications, there are some teen court programs that are better than others within a subclassification, however, they still fall within the same sub-category.
Class I
District Teen Court
Class I-A District Teen Court
Much like a regular court the District Teen Court is recognized by a district number. For example, 131st District Teen Court, Any City, Any State. The Teen Court may be sponsored by one or more organizations or agencies and may be known as their teen court program, however, the number indicates that it maintains a set standard which is followed by other District Teen Courts. This would facilitate, for example, the ability of one teen lawyer to handle a case in a different District Teen Court, as all procedures are followed identically. In addition, it would permit the transfer of a case from one district to another with the full understanding that the referred case would be handled identically as in the original district.
One only needs to see that there are state and federal guidelines which all regular courts follow regardless of their referred identifying number. Municipal Court 1 or 2 for a city, County Court 1 or 2 for a county, 49th or 190th Judicial District Court for a State Court and so on. Each of these courts would have jurisdiction in their respective physical boundaries and may have out of area court cases transferred to their jurisdiction, however, the procedures followed by each court fall under standards recognized by all, with respect to its state or federal jurisdictional boundaries.
The District Teen Court concept follows the state and federal methods of accepting standards which the courts in question would follow regardless of location. In addition, however, when referring to the District Teen Court of a particular city, the referral is to the District Teen Court's physical location and not its jurisdiction. As there are a number of cities and counties without teen courts in their area, the ability for a District Teen Court to handle a referred case lies in the willingness of the referring court, agency or school to allow the District Teen Court to handle the case in question. In some cases for example, a District Teen Court's location may be closer to the next county than it is to teenagers living across town. The point is that the program is designed to help teenagers regardless of their original residence or the location of the offense in question. The standards of a District Teen Court are set as national in nature. That is to say that the standards do not vary from state to state, much less from city to city. Consequently, a referred case from one District Teen Court in the city of one state could refer the cases to the District Teen Court of a city in a different state, and the case would be handled identically. It provides information on referred cases to a national record keeping center for the purpose of maintaining a record of offenses committed by juveniles, repeat offenders, if any, and other pertinent information.
The following minimum standards must be met in order to be considered a District Teen Court
The Court staff must consist of a judge, a prosecuting attorney, a defense attorney, 2 clerks, 3 bailiffs, a court reporter, a jury of no less than five members and no more than 11, all of which must be teenagers. In addition, an adult Court Master must always be present in the court room and the jury room. A properly trained teen staff conducts the entire trial with the Court Master overseeing and providing assistance only if needed, otherwise the Court Master does not participate except to monitor the proceedings.
The program operates all year just as juvenile crimes does. The court trials occur only on Saturdays as it is the only logical day in which parents and teenagers are more readily available. This is done to prevent loss of wages by parents during the regular work week. It also prevents interference with school home work and preparation for tests the nights before a school day.
The referrals must undergo an intake and trial within a week of being referred. There are no backlogs in a District Teen Court. In order for referrals to finish their programs within the allotted time set by the referring court, agency, or school, it is imperative that there be no delays in processing cases.
There are a minimum of five (5) adults present during the operation of the program for the protection of all parties involved in the program. One must be the Court Master and another a Notary Public or a combination of both.
The trials are private, although there may be special visitors or observers, the parents and personnel from all forms of news media are banned during trials. Full names of defendants and teen court staff are not used. In addition, teen referrals and teen volunteers are treated equally at all times after the initial trial. In this manner, no visitor is able to determine if the referral is a defendant or a volunteer. After all, the purpose of the program is to develop youth leadership of everyone involved and to help referrals maintain clean records, therefore, the teenagers are not branded as members of the criminal element.
In the event that there is an injury by a teen or adult participant, the program shall provide medical coverage so that the injured individual is able to be taken to the nearest medical facility for non-delayed treatment. There must also be on file a medical authorization for emergency treatment of the injured individual. The medical coverage may be secondary to coverage provided by the injured individual or individual's family. Medical treatment, however, must not be delayed.
No employee or volunteer is free from liability or threat of a lawsuit, even if acting as a member of a government agency or non profit organizations, therefore the program must provide protection in the way of a liability coverage, not only for the individual , but also for the organization itself.
There must be a written handbook/guide containing policies, rules, standards, etc., for the staff and volunteers to read, understand and follow with a signed document on file indicating the understanding and agreement to comply with the contents of the handbook. In addition, there must be on going training of staff and volunteers throughout the year.
There must also be a training process for the court staff, adults and teens alike, including , but not limited to, training material, including guidelines that must be followed by the jury, judge, and court master for purposes of setting the punishment or conditions that a referral must abide by for a particular offense.
The following minimum forms must be used: case referral form, waiver and release of liability forms, non-disclosure/confidentiality form, medical release, release of information form, volunteer application form, adult volunteer/employee pre-screening application packet forms (to prevent unwanted individuals with questionable backgrounds such as child molesters, etc.), youth intake form, parent intake form, request for assistance form, warning notices, log forms, certificate of completion forms, evaluation forms for both individuals and program self-evaluation.
The referred cases must be involved in the program a minimum of 7 weeks and a maximum of 12 weeks. This is done to provide a variety of help to the teenager and the teenager's family without extending past a 90 day period which is often the accepted standard for deferred adjudication cases.
The referrals must participate as members of the jury during the program. The acceptance to participate on a jury is accepted readily and without hesitation by referred cases, once they have been involved with the program two to three weeks. There has been no intentional disruption or delays of court procedures by referred cases under these conditions.
The referred cases must be provided law related education that will provide them with a better understanding of the laws, the expectations of society upon them, the judicial system, the differences between civil law, criminal law, ethical and moral laws.
Referrals must receive a minimum of 14 educational seminars in a variety of areas. The referred cases must be provided job related education that will provide them with a better understanding of what the business world expects from the, how to properly fill out job applications, how to conduct themselves in job interviews, and how to conduct themselves while employed. The job related education is designed to increase the opportunity for the referral to attain a job, maintain the job, and attain promotions and raises.
The referral must also receive say no to tobacco, drugs, and alcohol education to provide the teenagers an opportunity to decide on their own to stop the misuse of such items or to wisely choose not to use them in the future. Many teenagers continue to misuse the items when they are being forced to take a stand against parents, teachers, and the establishment in general that tells them that they must stop because they are told to do so and not because it is their own decision.
Must provide education in other areas which included the encouragement of finishing school, going on to college or trade schools.
Volunteers are provided assistance and opportunities to attain scholarships and other opportunities and/or benefits.
The referral must receive training in self-confidence, self-reliance, self-respect, self-motivation, and self-satisfaction. They must develop or improve their own leadership qualities.
The referral must be required to do community service in any one of a number of areas. The referral must never be allowed to do community service in which the referral is required to pick up trash outdoors. The risk of infection from discarded needles with aids or other diseases, as well as broken glass and sharp or pointed metals or other objects is too high a price to pay for a minor convicted of a minor crime.
There must be at least one social function or event every month in which the referrals participate with volunteers to experience activities, such as barbecues or parties, that do not lead to trouble and provide excellent means of enjoyment and positive acceptable actions.
There must be two or more annual functions that recognize the volunteers and that require attendance by the referred cases.
There must be on going recognition of the referrals throughout the program. Each referral should receive certificates of completion of the training received. This is in addition to a certificate of completion of the program for purposes of providing the referring court or agency proof as evidence needed to dismiss the violation in question.
There must be a mentor and speakers program that provides the teenagers an opportunity to see the world from the prospective view of successful people, happy people, and caring people. Advise and counseling must also be provided in a variety of areas, such as academic, vocational and other areas.
The referral should receive a certificate of membership in the organization for the purpose of encouraging the teenager to continue participation in the program as a respected and treasured volunteer. The teenager should be encouraged to return whenever and as often as possible as might be allowed by the teenager's family.
Comply with all elements of equality with respect to referrals, volunteers and staff without regard to race, creed, disability, or national origin in furtherance of its purpose to help teenagers.
No adult staff or volunteer may drive a teenager, except their own, to or from the Teen Court Program with the exception of a medical emergency and in compliance with the requirements set in the program handbook. The involvement with the District Teen Court Program by any such adult that violates this rule is immediately terminated the moment either individual attempts to enter the vehicle, or upon finding that the adult has offered the teenager a lift, but was turned down.
Other elements of a District Teen Court Program may consist of the following for either the referrals, the volunteers or a combination of both, however, they do not affect the Class I-A rating if missing.
A court can place a variety of conditions on the defendants such as: essay writing, report writing, letters of apology, returning to school instead of being truant or a drop out, working on special projects, restitution of a variety of means and a number of other elements.
Participation in a variety of activities, such as attending Olympic events, Halloween haunted houses, dances, parties, hay rides, banquets, political functions, sports games, cultural events, concerts, and much more.
Participation in Teen Court competitions, job interview contests, speech contests, and other forms of competition. Participation in other youth leadership programs.
Participation in a variety of community service projects such as food and clothing drives, help for a cancer society , heart foundation, blood drive, graffiti painting, house painting and many other similar projects and fund raising events.
Participate in talent shows, plays, tv shows, training films, public service announcements, news reporting for radio, tv, newspapers, magazines and other publications, web site developing on the internet and much more.
The volunteers are dues paying members of a club that supports and operates the District Teen Court which helps provide the program the opportunity to be partially or wholly self-supporting without the use of tax payers money through government grants.
The referrals are expected to pay for their own crimes and not the general public by way of taxes used to support the program
Class I- B District Teen Court
A Class IB District Teen Court Program complies with all areas of the Class I except that it operates a minimum of 40 weeks a year.
There are no other categories of District Teen Court Programs. Any teen court program that fails to provide the minimum requirements set forth above fall under other classifications.
Class II
Teen, Youth, Peer Court
*Class II-A Teen, Youth, Peer Court
*A Class II Teen, Youth, Peer Court, hereafter Teen Court, has some similarities to a District Teen Court, however, it does not follow identical standards to other teen courts operating under a uniform national standard. It is independent to other programs and does not rely on a central national operating policy
The minimum requirements under this classification are as follows:
The Court staff must consist of a judge, a prosecuting attorney, a defense attorney, 2 clerks, 3 bailiffs, a court reporter, a jury of no less than five members and no more than 11, all of which must be teenagers. In addition, an adult Court Master (or similar title - not coordinator, hereafter Court Master) must always be present in the court room and the jury room. A properly trained teen staff conducts the entire trial with the Court Master overseeing and providing assistance only if needed, otherwise the Court Master does not participate except to monitor the proceedings.
The program operates all year just as juvenile crimes does. The court trials occur only on Saturdays as it is the only logical day in which parents and teenagers are more readily available. This is done to prevent loss of wages by parents during the regular work week. It also prevents interference with school home work and preparation for tests the nights before a school day.
The referrals must undergo an intake and trial within a week of being referred. There are no backlogs in a Teen Court. In order for referrals to finish their programs within the allotted time set by the referring court, agency, or school, it is imperative that there be no delays in processing cases.
There are a minimum of five (5) adults present during the operation of the program for the protection of all parties involved in the program. One must be the Court Master and another a Notary Public or a combination of both.
The trials are private, although there may be special visitors or observers, the parents and personnel from all forms of news media are banned during trials. Full names of defendants and teen court staff are not used. In addition, teen referrals and teen volunteers are treated equally at all times after the initial trial. In this manner, no visitor is able to determine if the referral is a defendant or a volunteer. After all, the purpose of the program is to develop youth leadership of everyone involved and to help referrals maintain clean records, therefore, the teenagers are not branded as members of the criminal element.
In the event that there is an injury by a teen or adult participant, the program shall provide medical coverage so that the injured individual is able to be taken to the nearest medical facility for non-delayed treatment. There must also be on file a medical authorization for emergency treatment of the injured individual. The medical coverage may be secondary to coverage provided by the injured individual or individual's family. Medical treatment, however, must not be delayed.
No employee or volunteer is free from liability or threat of a lawsuit, even if acting as a member of a government agency or non profit organizations, therefore the program must provide protection in the way of a liability coverage, not only for the individual , but also for the organization itself.
There must be a written handbook/guide containing policies, rules, standards, etc., for the staff and volunteers to read, understand and follow with a signed document on file indicating the understanding and agreement to comply with the contents of the handbook. In addition, there must be on going training of staff and volunteers throughout the year.
There must also be a training process for the court staff, adults and teens alike, including , but not limited to, training material, including guidelines that must be followed by the jury, judge, and court master for purposes of setting the punishment or conditions that a referral must abide by for a particular offense.
The following minimum forms must be used: case referral form, waiver and release of liability forms, non-disclosure/confidentiality form, medical release, release of information form, volunteer application form, adult volunteer/employee pre-screening application packet forms (to prevent unwanted individuals with questionable backgrounds such as child molesters, etc.), youth intake form, parent intake form, request for assistance form, warning notices, log forms, certificate of completion forms, evaluation forms for both individuals and program self-evaluation.
The referred cases must be involved in the program a minimum of 7 weeks and a maximum of 12 weeks. This is done to provide a variety of help to the teenager and the teenager's family without extending past a 90 day period which is often the accepted standard for deferred adjudication cases.
The referrals must participate as members of the jury during the program. The acceptance to participate on a jury is accepted readily and without hesitation by referred cases, once they have been involved with the program two to three weeks. There has been no intentional disruption or delays of court procedures by referred cases under these conditions.
The referred cases must be provided law related education that will provide them with a better understanding of the laws, the expectations of society upon them, the judicial system, the differences between civil law, criminal law, ethical and moral laws.
Referrals must receive a minimum of 14 educational seminars in a variety of areas. The referred cases must be provided job related education that will provide them with a better understanding of what the business world expects from the, how to properly fill out job applications, how to conduct themselves in job interviews, and how to conduct themselves while employed. The job related education is designed to increase the opportunity for the referral to attain a job, maintain the job, and attain promotions and raises.
The referral must also receive say no to tobacco, drugs, and alcohol education to provide the teenagers an opportunity to decide on their own to stop the misuse of such items or to wisely choose not to use them in the future. Many teenagers continue to misuse the items when they are being forced to take a stand against parents, teachers, and the establishment in general that tells them that they must stop because they are told to do so and not because it is their own decision.
Must provide education in other areas which included the encouragement of finishing school, going on to college or trade schools.
Volunteers are provided assistance and opportunities to attain scholarships and other opportunities and/or benefits.
The referral must receive training in self-confidence, self-reliance, self-respect, self-motivation, and self-satisfaction. They must develop or improve their own leadership qualities.
The referral must be required to do community service in any one of a number of areas. The referral must never be allowed to do community service in which the referral is required to pick up trash outdoors. The risk of infection from discarded needles with aids or other diseases, as well as broken glass and sharp or pointed metals or other objects is too high a price to pay for a minor convicted of a minor crime.
There must be at least one social function or event every month in which the referrals participate with volunteers to experience activities, such as barbecues or parties, that do not lead to trouble and provide excellent means of enjoyment and positive acceptable actions.
There must be two or more annual functions that recognize the volunteers and that require attendance by the referred cases.
There must be on going recognition of the referrals throughout the program. Each referral should receive certificates of completion of the training received. This is in addition to a certificate of completion of the program for purposes of providing the referring court or agency proof as evidence needed to dismiss the violation in question.
There must be a mentor and speakers program that provides the teenagers an opportunity to see the world from the prospective view of successful people, happy people, and caring people. Advise and counseling must also be provided in a variety of areas, such as academic, vocational and other areas.
The referral should receive a certificate of membership in the organization for the purpose of encouraging the teenager to continue participation in the program as a respected and treasured volunteer. The teenager should be encouraged to return whenever and as often as possible as might be allowed by the teenager's family.
Comply with all elements of equality with respect to referrals, volunteers and staff without regard to race, creed, disability, or national origin in furtherance of its purpose to help teenagers.
No adult staff or volunteer may drive a teenager, except their own, to or from the Teen Court Program with the exception of a medical emergency and in compliance with the requirements set in the program handbook. The involvement with the Teen Court Program by any such adult that violates this rule is immediately terminated the moment either individual attempts to enter the vehicle, or upon finding that the adult has offered the teenager a lift, but was turned down.
Other elements of a Teen Court Program may consist of the following for either the referrals, the volunteers or a combination of both, however, they do not affect the Class rating if missing.
A court can place a variety of conditions on the defendants such as: essay writing, report writing, letters of apology, returning to school instead of being truant or a drop out, working on special projects, restitution of a variety of means and a number of other elements.
Participation in a variety of activities, such as attending Olympic events, Halloween haunted houses, dances, parties, hay rides, banquets, political functions, sports games, cultural events, concerts, and much more.
Participation in Teen Court competitions, job interview contests, speech contests, and other forms of competition. Participation in other youth leadership programs.
Participation in a variety of community service projects such as food and clothing drives, help for a cancer society , heart foundation, blood drive, graffiti painting, house painting and many other similar projects and fund raising events.
Participate in talent shows, plays, tv shows, training films, public service announcements, news reporting for radio, tv, newspapers, magazines and other publications, web site developing on the internet and much more.
The volunteers are dues paying members of a club that supports and operates the Teen Court which helps provide the program the opportunity to be partially or wholly self-supporting without the use of tax payers money through government grants.
The referrals are expected to pay for their own crimes and not the general public by way of taxes used to support the program.
Class 11- B Teen Court
The minimum standards for a Class II-B are as follows:
The Court staff must consist of a judge, a prosecuting attorney, a defense attorney, 2 clerks, 3 bailiffs, a court reporter, a jury of no less than five members and no more than 11, all of which must be teenagers. In addition, an adult Court Master must always be present in the court room and the jury room. A properly trained teen staff conducts the entire trial with the Court Master overseeing and providing assistance only if needed, otherwise the Court Master does not participate except to monitor the proceedings.
The program operates a minimum of 40 weeks. The court trials occur only on Saturdays as it is the only logical day in which parents and teenagers are more readily available. This is done to prevent loss of wages by parents during the regular work week. It also prevents interference with school home work and preparation for tests the nights before a school day.
The referrals must undergo an intake and trial within a week of being referred. There are no backlogs in a Teen Court. In order for referrals to finish their programs within the allotted time set by the referring court, agency, or school, it is imperative that there be no delays in processing cases.
There are a minimum of five (5) adults present during the operation of the program for the protection of all parties involved in the program. One must be the Court Master and another a Notary Public or a combination of both.
The trials are private, although there may be special visitors or observers, the parents and personnel from all forms of news media are banned during trials. Full names of defendants and teen court staff are not used. In addition, teen referrals and teen volunteers are treated equally at all times after the initial trial. In this manner, no visitor is able to determine if the referral is a defendant or a volunteer. After all, the purpose of the program is to develop youth leadership of everyone involved and to help referrals maintain clean records, therefore, the teenagers are not branded as members of the criminal element.
In the event that there is an injury by a teen or adult participant, the program shall provide medical coverage so that the injured individual is able to be taken to the nearest medical facility for non-delayed treatment. There must also be on file a medical authorization for emergency treatment of the injured individual. The medical coverage may be secondary to coverage provided by the injured individual or individual's family. Medical treatment, however, must not be delayed.
No employee or volunteer is free from liability or threat of a lawsuit, even if acting as a member of a government agency or non profit organizations, therefore the program must provide protection in the way of a liability coverage, not only for the individual , but also for the organization itself.
There must be a written handbook/guide containing policies, rules, standards, etc., for the staff and volunteers to read, understand and follow with a signed document on file indicating the understanding and agreement to comply with the contents of the handbook. In addition, there must be on going training of staff and volunteers throughout the year.
There must also be a training process for the court staff, adults and teens alike, including , but not limited to, training material, including guidelines that must be followed by the jury, judge, and court master for purposes of setting the punishment or conditions that a referral must abide by for a particular offense.
The following minimum forms must be used: case referral form, waiver and release of liability forms, non-disclosure/confidentiality form, medical release, release of information form, volunteer application form, adult volunteer/employee pre-screening application packet forms (to prevent unwanted individuals with questionable backgrounds such as child molesters, etc.), youth intake form, parent intake form, request for assistance form, warning notices, log forms, certificate of completion forms, evaluation forms for both individuals and program self-evaluation.
The referred cases must be involved in the program a minimum of 7 weeks and a maximum of 12 weeks. This is done to provide a variety of help to the teenager and the teenager's family without extending past a 90 day period which is often the accepted standard for deferred adjudication cases.
The referrals must participate as members of the jury during the program. The acceptance to participate on a jury is accepted readily and without hesitation by referred cases, once they have been involved with the program two to three weeks. There has been no intentional disruption or delays of court procedures by referred cases under these conditions.
The referred cases must be provided law related education that will provide them with a better understanding of the laws, the expectations of society upon them, the judicial system, the differences between civil law, criminal law, ethical and moral laws.
Referrals must receive a minimum of 14 educational seminars in a variety of areas. The referred cases must be provided job related education that will provide them with a better understanding of what the business world expects from the, how to properly fill out job applications, how to conduct themselves in job interviews, and how to conduct themselves while employed. The job related education is designed to increase the opportunity for the referral to attain a job, maintain the job, and attain promotions and raises.
The referral must also receive say no to tobacco, drugs, and alcohol education to provide the teenagers an opportunity to decide on their own to stop the misuse of such items or to wisely choose not to use them in the future. Many teenagers continue to misuse the items when they are being forced to take a stand against parents, teachers, and the establishment in general that tells them that they must stop because they are told to do so and not because it is their own decision.
Must provide education in other areas which included the encouragement of finishing school, going on to college or trade schools.
Volunteers are provided assistance and opportunities to attain scholarships and other opportunities and/or benefits.
The referral must receive training in self-confidence, self-reliance, self-respect, self-motivation, and self-satisfaction. They must develop or improve their own leadership qualities.
The referral must be required to do community service in any one of a number of areas. The referral must never be allowed to do community service in which the referral is required to pick up trash outdoors. The risk of infection from discarded needles with aids or other diseases, as well as broken glass and sharp or pointed metals or other objects is too high a price to pay for a minor convicted of a minor crime.
There must be at least one social function or event every month in which the referrals participate with volunteers to experience activities, such as barbecues or parties, that do not lead to trouble and provide excellent means of enjoyment and positive acceptable actions.
There must be two or more annual functions that recognize the volunteers and that require attendance by the referred cases.
There must be on going recognition of the referrals throughout the program. Each referral should receive certificates of completion of the training received. This is in addition to a certificate of completion of the program for purposes of providing the referring court or agency proof as evidence needed to dismiss the violation in question.
There must be a mentor and speakers program that provides the teenagers an opportunity to see the world from the prospective view of successful people, happy people, and caring people. Advise and counseling must also be provided in a variety of areas, such as academic, vocational and other areas.
The referral should receive a certificate of membership in the organization for the purpose of encouraging the teenager to continue participation in the program as a respected and treasured volunteer. The teenager should be encouraged to return whenever and as often as possible as might be allowed by the teenager's family.
Comply with all elements of equality with respect to referrals, volunteers and staff without regard to race, creed, disability, or national origin in furtherance of its purpose to help teenagers.
No adult staff or volunteer may drive a teenager, except their own, to or from the Teen Court Program with the exception of a medical emergency and in compliance with the requirements set in the program handbook. The involvement with the Teen Court Program by any such adult that violates this rule is immediately terminated the moment either individual attempts to enter the vehicle, or upon finding that the adult has offered the teenager a lift, but was turned down.
Other elements of a Teen Court Program may consist of the following for either the referrals, the volunteers or a combination of both, however, they do not affect the Class rating if missing.
A court can place a variety of conditions on the defendants such as: essay writing, report writing, letters of apology, returning to school instead of being truant or a drop out, working on special projects, restitution of a variety of means and a number of other elements.
Participation in a variety of activities, such as attending Olympic events, Halloween haunted houses, dances, parties, hay rides, banquets, political functions, sports games, cultural events, concerts, and much more.
Participation in Teen Court competitions, job interview contests, speech contests, and other forms of competition. Participation in other youth leadership programs.
Participation in a variety of community service projects such as food and clothing drives, help for a cancer society , heart foundation, blood drive, graffiti painting, house painting and many other similar projects and fund raising events.
Participate in talent shows, plays, tv shows, training films, public service announcements, news reporting for radio, tv, newspapers, magazines and other publications, web site developing on the internet and much more.
The volunteers are dues paying members of a club that supports and operates the Teen Court which helps provide the program the opportunity to be partially or wholly self-supporting without the use of tax payers money through government grants.
The referrals are expected to pay for their own crimes and not the general public by way of taxes used to support the program.
Class II-C Teen Court
The minimum requirements for this classification are as follows
The Court staff must consist of a judge, a prosecuting attorney, a defense attorney, 2 clerks, 3 bailiffs, a court reporter, a jury of no less than five members and no more than 11, all of which must be teenagers. In addition, an adult Court Master must always be present in the court room and the jury room. A properly trained teen staff conducts the entire trial with the Court Master overseeing and providing assistance only if needed, otherwise the Court Master does not participate except to monitor the proceedings.
The program operates a minimum of 40 weeks a year. The court trials occur afternoons or evenings during the week It is not concerned with the interference with school home work and preparation for tests the nights before a school day as it is the responsibility of the defender to make allowances for those situations, for after all, no one told them to get into trouble.
The referrals may undergo an intake and trial within one to four weeks of being referred. There may be backlogs in a this Teen Court due to length of time that transpires before the cases may be processed.
There are a minimum of five (5) adults present during the operation of the program for the protection of all parties involved in the program. One must be the Court Master and another a Notary Public or a combination of both.
The trials are private, although there may be special visitors or observers, the parents and personnel from all forms of news media are banned during trials. Full names of defendants and teen court staff are not used. In addition, teen referrals and teen volunteers are treated equally at all times after the initial trial. In this manner, no visitor is able to determine if the referral is a defendant or a volunteer. After all, the purpose of the program is to develop youth leadership of everyone involved and to help referrals maintain clean records, therefore, the teenagers are not branded as members of the criminal element.
In the event that there is an injury by a teen or adult participant, the program shall provide medical coverage so that the injured individual is able to be taken to the nearest medical facility for non-delayed treatment. There must also be on file a medical authorization for emergency treatment of the injured individual. The medical coverage may be secondary to coverage provided by the injured individual or individual's family. Medical treatment, however, must not be delayed.
No employee or volunteer is free from liability or threat of a lawsuit, even if acting as a member of a government agency or non profit organizations, therefore the program must provide protection in the way of a liability coverage, not only for the individual , but also for the organization itself.
There must be a written handbook/guide containing policies, rules, standards, etc., for the staff and volunteers to read, understand and follow with a signed document on file indicating the understanding and agreement to comply with the contents of the handbook. In addition, there must be on going training of staff and volunteers throughout the year.
There must also be a training process for the court staff, adults and teens alike, including , but not limited to, training material, including guidelines that must be followed by the jury, judge, and court master for purposes of setting the punishment or conditions that a referral must abide by for a particular offense.
The following minimum forms must be used: case referral form, waiver and release of liability forms, non-disclosure/confidentiality form, medical release, release of information form, volunteer application form, adult volunteer/employee pre-screening application packet forms (to prevent unwanted individuals with questionable backgrounds such as child molesters, etc.), youth intake form, parent intake form, request for assistance form, warning notices, log forms, certificate of completion forms, evaluation forms for both individuals and program self-evaluation.
The referred cases must be involved in the program a minimum of 7 weeks and a maximum of 12 weeks. This is done to provide a variety of help to the teenager and the teenager's family without extending past a 90 day period which is often the accepted standard for deferred adjudication cases.
The referrals must participate as members of the jury during the program. The acceptance to participate on a jury is accepted readily and without hesitation by referred cases, once they have been involved with the program two to three weeks. There has been no intentional disruption or delays of court procedures by referred cases under these conditions.
Referrals are provided some form of counseling and educational seminars. The seminars may not be required of all volunteers or referrals.
The referral must be required to do community service in any one of a number of areas. The referral must never be allowed to do community service in which the referral is required to pick up trash outdoors. The risk of infection from discarded needles with aids or other diseases, as well as broken glass and sharp or pointed metals or other objects is too high a price to pay for a minor convicted of a minor crime.
There must be on going recognition of the referrals throughout the program. Each referral should receive certificates of completion of the training received. This is in addition to a certificate of completion of the program for purposes of providing the referring court or agency proof as evidence needed to dismiss the violation in question.
Comply with all elements of equality with respect to referrals, volunteers and staff without regard to race, creed, disability, or national origin in furtherance of its purpose to help teenagers.
No adult staff or volunteer may drive a teenager, except their own, to or from the Teen Court Program with the exception of a medical emergency and in compliance with the requirements set in the program handbook. The involvement with the District Teen Court Program by any such adult that violates this rule is immediately terminated the moment either individual attempts to enter the vehicle, or upon finding that the adult has offered the teenager a lift, but was turned down.
Other elements of a Teen Court Program may consist of the following for either the referrals, the volunteers or a combination of both, however, they do not affect the Class rating if missing.
A court can place a variety of conditions on the defendants such as: essay writing, report writing, letters of apology, returning to school instead of being truant or a drop out, working on special projects, restitution of a variety of means and a number of other elements.
Participation in a variety of activities, such as attending Olympic events, Halloween haunted houses, dances, parties, hay rides, banquets, political functions, sports games, cultural events, concerts, and much more.
Participation in Teen Court competitions, job interview contests, speech contests, and other forms of competition. Participation in other youth leadership programs.
Participation in a variety of community service projects such as food and clothing drives, help for a cancer society , heart foundation, blood drive, graffiti painting, house painting and many other similar projects and fund raising events.
Participate in talent shows, plays, tv shows, training films, public service announcements, news reporting for radio, tv, newspapers, magazines and other publications, web site developing on the internet and much more.
The volunteers are dues paying members of a club that supports and operates the Teen Court which helps provide the program the opportunity to be partially or wholly self-supporting without the use of tax payers money through government grants.
The referrals are expected to pay for their own crimes and not the general public by way of taxes used to support the program.
There are no other categories of Teen Court Programs under this classifications. Any teen court program that fails to provide the minimum requirements set forth above fall under other classifications.
Class III
Teen Courts
*Class III-A Teen Courts
*Class III Teen Courts have less in common with the Class II Teen Courts and even less with the District Teen Courts.
The minimum requirements for this classification are as follows
The Court staff must consist of a judge, a prosecuting attorney, a defense attorney, a clerks, a bailiffs, a jury of no less than five members and no more than 11, all of which must be teenagers. In addition, an adult Court Master must always be present in the court room and the jury room. A properly trained teen staff conducts the entire trial with the Court Master overseeing and providing assistance only if needed, otherwise the Court Master does not participate except to monitor the proceedings.
The program operates a minimum of 40 weeks a year. The court trials occur afternoons or evenings during the week It is not concerned with the interference with school home work and preparation for tests the nights before a school day as it is the responsibility of the defender to make allowances for those situations, for after all, no one told them to get into trouble.
The referrals may undergo an intake and trial within one to four weeks of being referred. There may be backlogs in a this Teen Court due to length of time that transpires before the cases may be processed.
There are less than five (5) adults present during the operation of the program. There is no Notary Public present.
The trials are not privately conducted. They have been made available for view to special visitors or observers, the parents and personnel from all forms of news media. Full names of defendants are used. Although the program is designed to help referrals maintain clean records, the teenagers may be embarrassed, ridiculed, or branded as members of the criminal element as a result of exposure.
In the event that there is an injury by a teen or adult participant, the program shall provide medical coverage so that the injured individual is able to be taken to the nearest medical facility for non-delayed treatment. There must also be on file a medical authorization for emergency treatment of the injured individual. The medical coverage may be secondary to coverage provided by the injured individual or individual's family. Medical treatment, however, must not be delayed.
No employee or volunteer is free from liability or threat of a lawsuit, even if acting as a member of a government agency or non profit organizations, therefore the program must provide protection in the way of a liability coverage, not only for the individual , but also for the organization itself.
There must also be a training process for the court staff, adults and teens alike, including , but not limited to, training material, including guidelines that must be followed by the jury, judge, and court master for purposes of setting the punishment or conditions that a referral must abide by for a particular offense.
It uses some forms, but not all that are recommended under Classifications I and II above. Consequently, there are some risks factors involved.
The referred cases do not have a set guideline for the number of weeks to be involved in the program.
The referrals must participate as members of the jury during the program.
Referrals are provided some form of counseling and educational seminars. The seminars may not be required of all volunteers or referrals.
The referral must be required to do community service in any one of a number of areas. The referral must never be allowed to do community service in which the referral is required to pick up trash outdoors. The risk of infection from discarded needles with aids or other diseases, as well as broken glass and sharp or pointed metals or other objects is too high a price to pay for a minor convicted of a minor crime.
There is a certificate of completion of the program for purposes of providing the referring court or agency proof as evidence needed to dismiss the violation in question.
Comply with all elements of equality with respect to referrals, volunteers and staff without regard to race, creed, disability, or national origin in furtherance of its purpose to help teenagers.
Other elements of a Teen Court Program may consist of the following for either the referrals, the volunteers or a combination of both, however, they do not affect the Class rating if missing.
A court can place a variety of conditions on the defendants such as: essay writing, report writing, letters of apology, returning to school instead of being truant or a drop out, working on special projects, restitution of a variety of means and a number of other elements.
Participation in a variety of activities, such as attending Olympic events, Halloween haunted houses, dances, parties, hay rides, banquets, political functions, sports games, cultural events, concerts, and much more.
Participation in Teen Court competitions, job interview contests, speech contests, and other forms of competition. Participation in other youth leadership programs.
Participation in a variety of community service projects such as food and clothing drives, help for a cancer society , heart foundation, blood drive, graffiti painting, house painting and many other similar projects and fund raising events.
Participate in talent shows, plays, tv shows, training films, public service announcements, news reporting for radio, tv, newspapers, magazines and other publications, web site developing on the internet and much more.
The volunteers are dues paying members of a club that supports and operates the Teen Court which helps provide the program the opportunity to be partially or wholly self-supporting without the use of tax payers money through government grants.
The referrals are expected to pay for their own crimes and not the general public by way of taxes used to support the program.
Class III-B Teen Courts
The minimum requirements for this classification are as follows
The Court staff must consist of a judge, a prosecuting attorney, a defense attorney, a clerk, a bailiff, a jury of no less than five members and no more than 11, all of which must be teenagers. In addition, an adult Court Master must always be present in the court room and the jury room. A properly trained teen staff conducts the entire trial with the Court Master overseeing and providing assistance only if needed, otherwise the Court Master does not participate except to monitor the proceedings.
The program operates a minimum of 36 weeks a year. The court trials occur afternoons or evenings during the week It is not concerned with the interference with school home work and preparation for tests the nights before a school day as it is the responsibility of the defender to make allowances for those situations, for after all, no one told them to get into trouble.
The referrals may undergo an intake and trial within one to four weeks of being referred. There may be backlogs in this Teen Court due to length of time that transpires before the cases may be processed.
There are three (3) or less adults present during the operation of the program. There is no Notary Public present.
The trials are not privately conducted. They have been made available for view to special visitors or observers, the parents and personnel from all forms of news media. Full names of defendants are used. Although the program is designed to help referrals maintain clean records, the teenagers may be embarrassed, ridiculed, or branded as members of the criminal element as a result of exposure.
In the event that there is an injury by a teen or adult participant, the program does not provide medical coverage so that the injured individual is able to be taken to the nearest medical facility for non-delayed treatment. There may or may not be on file a medical authorization for emergency treatment of the injured individual. Individuals and the teen court program are placed into a position of liability and lawsuits.
No employee or volunteer is free from liability or threat of a lawsuit, even if acting as a member of a government agency or non profit organizations, however, the program does not provide protection in the way of a liability coverage, not for the individual , and not for the organization itself.
There may or may not be a training process for the court staff, adults and teens alike, including , but not limited to, training material, including guidelines that must be followed by the jury, judge, and court master for purposes of setting the punishment or conditions that a referral must abide by for a particular offense.
It uses some forms, but not all that are recommended under Classifications I and II above. Consequently, there are some risks factors involved.
The referred cases do not have a set guideline for the number of weeks to be involved in the program.
The referrals must participate as members of the jury during the program.
Referrals may or may not be provided some form of counseling and educational seminars. The seminars may not be required of all volunteers or referrals.
The referral must be required to do community service in any one of a number of areas. The referral may be required to pick up trash outdoors. The risk of infection from discarded needles with aids or other diseases, as well as broken glass and sharp or pointed metals or other objects is assumed as a liability risk that is hoped will not happen with the use of gloves, which may or may not stop a penetrating needle.
There is a certificate of completion of the program for purposes of providing the referring court or agency proof as evidence needed to dismiss the violation in question.
Comply with all elements of equality with respect to referrals, volunteers and staff without regard to race, creed, disability, or national origin in furtherance of its purpose to help teenagers.
Other elements of a Teen Court Program may consist of the following for either the referrals, the volunteers or a combination of both, however, they do not affect the Class rating if missing.
A court can place a variety of conditions on the defendants such as: essay writing, report writing, letters of apology, returning to school instead of being truant or a drop out, working on special projects, restitution of a variety of means and a number of other elements.
Participation in a variety of activities, such as attending Olympic events, Halloween haunted houses, dances, parties, hay rides, banquets, political functions, sports games, cultural events, concerts, and much more.
Participation in Teen Court competitions, job interview contests, speech contests, and other forms of competition. Participation in other youth leadership programs.
Participation in a variety of community service projects such as food and clothing drives, help for a cancer society , heart foundation, blood drive, graffiti painting, house painting and many other similar projects and fund raising events.
Participate in talent shows, plays, tv shows, training films, public service announcements, news reporting for radio, tv, newspapers, magazines and other publications, web site developing on the internet and much more.
The volunteers are dues paying members of a club that supports and operates the Teen Court which helps provide the program the opportunity to be partially or wholly self-supporting without the use of tax payers money through government grants.
The referrals are expected to pay for their own crimes and not the general public by way of taxes used to support the program.
Class III-C Teen Court
The minimum requirements for this classification are as follows
The Court staff must consist of a judge, a prosecuting attorney, a defense attorney, a clerk, a bailiff, a jury of no less than five members and no more than 11, all of which must be teenagers. In addition, an adult Court Master must always be present in the court room and the jury room. A properly trained teen staff conducts the entire trial with the Court Master overseeing and providing assistance only if needed, otherwise the Court Master does not participate except to monitor the proceedings.
The program operates a minimum of 36 weeks a year. The court trials occur afternoons or evenings during the week It is not concerned with the interference with school home work and preparation for tests the nights before a school day as it is the responsibility of the defender to make allowances for those situations, for after all, no one told them to get into trouble.
The referrals may undergo an intake and trial within one to four weeks of being referred. There may be backlogs in this Teen Court due to length of time that transpires before the cases may be processed.
There are three (3) or less adults present during the operation of the program. There is no Notary Public present.
The trials are not privately conducted. They have been made available for view to special visitors or observers, the parents and personnel from all forms of news media. Full names of defendants are used. Although the program is designed to help referrals maintain clean records, the teenagers may be embarrassed, ridiculed, or branded as members of the criminal element as a result of exposure.
In the event that there is an injury by a teen or adult participant, the program does not provide medical coverage so that the injured individual is able to be taken to the nearest medical facility for non-delayed treatment. There may or may not be on file a medical authorization for emergency treatment of the injured individual. Individuals and the teen court program are placed into a position of liability and lawsuits.
No employee or volunteer is free from liability or threat of a lawsuit, even if acting as a member of a government agency or non profit organizations, however, the program does not provide protection in the way of a liability coverage, not for the individual , and not for the organization itself.
There may or may not be a training process for the court staff, adults and teens alike, including , but not limited to, training material, including guidelines that must be followed by the jury, judge, and court master for purposes of setting the punishment or conditions that a referral must abide by for a particular offense.
It uses some forms, but not all that are recommended under Classifications I and II above. Consequently, there are some risks factors involved.
The referred cases do not have a set guideline for the number of weeks to be involved in the program.
The referrals must participate as members of the jury during the program.
The referral must be required to do community service in any one of a number of areas. The referral may be required to pick up trash outdoors. The risk of infection from discarded needles with aids or other diseases, as well as broken glass and sharp or pointed metals or other objects is assumed as a liability risk that is hoped will not happen with the use of gloves, which may or may not stop a penetrating needle.
There is a certificate of completion of the program for purposes of providing the referring court or agency proof as evidence needed to dismiss the violation in question.
Comply with all elements of equality with respect to referrals, volunteers and staff without regard to race, creed, disability, or national origin in furtherance of its purpose to help teenagers.
Other elements of a Teen Court Program may consist of the following for either the referrals, the volunteers or a combination of both, however, they do not affect the Class rating if missing.
A court can place a variety of conditions on the defendants such as: essay writing, report writing, letters of apology, returning to school instead of being truant or a drop out, working on special projects, restitution of a variety of means and a number of other elements.
Participation in a variety of activities, such as attending Olympic events, Halloween haunted houses, dances, parties, hay rides, banquets, political functions, sports games, cultural events, concerts, and much more.
Participation in Teen Court competitions, job interview contests, speech contests, and other forms of competition. Participation in other youth leadership programs.
Participation in a variety of community service projects such as food and clothing drives, help for a cancer society , heart foundation, blood drive, graffiti painting, house painting and many other similar projects and fund raising events.
Participate in talent shows, plays, tv shows, training films, public service announcements, news reporting for radio, tv, newspapers, magazines and other publications, web site developing on the internet and much more.
The volunteers are dues paying members of a club that supports and operates the Teen Court which helps provide the program the opportunity to be partially or wholly self-supporting without the use of tax payers money through government grants.
The referrals are expected to pay for their own crimes and not the general public by way of taxes used to support the program.
There are no other categories of Teen Court Programs under this classifications. Any teen court program that fails to provide the minimum requirements set forth above fall under other classifications.
Class IV
Student School Court
Class IV Student School Court
The minimum requirements for this classification are as follows
The Court staff must consist of a judge, a prosecuting attorney, a defense attorney, a clerk, a bailiff, a jury of no less than five members and no more than 11, all of which must be teenagers. In addition, an adult Court Master (usually a teacher or counselor) must always be present in the court room and the jury room. A properly trained teen staff conducts the entire trial with the Court Master overseeing and providing assistance only if needed, otherwise the Court Master does not participate except to monitor the proceedings.
The program operates only during the school year and may or may not occur in the school. The court trials may occur during school hours, afternoons or evenings during the week It is not concerned with the interference with school home work and preparation for tests the nights before a school day as it is the responsibility of the defender to make allowances for those situations, for after all, no one told them to get into trouble.
Accepts only school referred cases of minor infractions.
The referrals may undergo an intake and trial within one to four weeks of being referred. There may be backlogs in this Teen Court due to length of time that transpires before the cases may be processed.
There are three (3) or less adults present during the operation of the program. There is no Notary Public present.
The trials are not privately conducted. They have been made available for view to special visitors or observers, the parents and personnel from all forms of news media. Full names of defendants are used. Although the program is designed to help referrals maintain clean records, the teenagers may be embarrassed, ridiculed, or branded as members of the criminal element as a result of exposure.
In the event that there is an injury by a teen or adult participant, the program does not provide medical coverage so that the injured individual is able to be taken to the nearest medical facility for non-delayed treatment. There may or may not be on file a medical authorization for emergency treatment of the injured individual. Individuals and the teen court program are placed into a position of liability and lawsuits.
No employee or volunteer is free from liability or threat of a lawsuit, even if acting as a member of a government agency or non profit organizations, however, the program does not provide protection in the way of a liability coverage, not for the individual , and not for the organization itself.
There may or may not be a training process for the court staff, adults and teens alike, including , but not limited to, training material, including guidelines that must be followed by the jury, judge, and court master for purposes of setting the punishment or conditions that a referral must abide by for a particular offense.
It uses some forms, but not all that are recommended under Classifications I and II above. Consequently, there are some risks factors involved.
The referred cases may or may not have a set guideline for the number of weeks to be involved in the program.
The referrals may or may not serve on the jury of the jury during the program. In most cases students are pooled to serve on the jury from the various classes as a learning process and civic duty
The referral must be required to do community service in any one of a number of areas. The referral may be required to pick up trash outdoors. The risk of infection from discarded needles with aids or other diseases, as well as broken glass and sharp or pointed metals or other objects is assumed as a liability risk that is hoped will not happen with the use of gloves, which may or may not stop a penetrating needle.
There is a certificate of completion of the program for purposes of providing the school proof as evidence needed to dismiss the violation in question.
Comply with all elements of equality with respect to referrals, volunteers and staff without regard to race, creed, disability, or national origin in furtherance of its purpose to help teenagers.
Other elements of a Teen Court Program may consist of the following for either the referrals, the volunteers or a combination of both, however, they do not affect the Class rating if missing.
A court can place a variety of conditions on the defendants such as: essay writing, report writing, letters of apology, returning to school instead of being truant or a drop out, working on special projects, restitution of a variety of means and a number of other elements.
Participation in a variety of activities, such as attending Olympic events, Halloween haunted houses, dances, parties, hay rides, banquets, political functions, sports games, cultural events, concerts, and much more.
Participation in Teen Court competitions, job interview contests, speech contests, and other forms of competition. Participation in other youth leadership programs.
Participation in a variety of community service projects such as food and clothing drives, help for a cancer society , heart foundation, blood drive, graffiti painting, house painting and many other similar projects and fund raising events.
Participate in talent shows, plays, tv shows, training films, public service announcements, news reporting for radio, tv, newspapers, magazines and other publications, web site developing on the internet and much more.
The volunteers are dues paying members of a club that supports and operates the Teen Court which helps provide the program the opportunity to be partially or wholly self-supporting without the use of tax payers money through government grants.
The referrals are expected to pay for their own crimes and not the general public by way of taxes used to support the program.
There are no other categories of Student Court Programs under this classifications. Most Student Courts fail to meet higher standards as are reflected in Class I and Class II
classifications.
Class V
*Teen, Youth, Peer and Student Tribunals
*A teen, youth, peer, or student tribunal is not a full court as it lacks the jury used by teen courts. Teenagers serve as judge and jury in the cases. The judges panel consists of three to five teen judges.
The minimum requirements for this classification are as follows
The Tribunal must have a minimum of three judges and always and odd number of judges. In addition, it must have a prosecuting and defense attorney, a clerk and a bailiff. In addition, an adult Court Master must always be present in the tribunal room. A properly trained teen staff conducts the entire trial with the Court Master overseeing and providing assistance only if needed, otherwise the Court Master does not participate except to monitor the proceedings.
The program usually operates only during the school year and may or may not occur in the school. The court trials may occur during school hours, afternoons or evenings during the week It is not concerned with the interference with school home work and preparation for tests the nights before a school day as it is the responsibility of the defender to make allowances for those situations, for after all, no one told them to get into trouble.
The referrals may or may not undergo an intake and trial within one to four weeks of being referred. There may be backlogs in this Tribunal Court due to length of time that transpires before the cases may be processed.
There are three (3) or less adults present during the operation of the program. There is no Notary Public present.
The trials are not privately conducted. They have been made available for view to special visitors or observers, the parents and personnel from all forms of news media. Full names of defendants are used. Although the program is designed to help referrals maintain clean records, the teenagers may be embarrassed, ridiculed, or branded as members of the criminal element as a result of exposure.
In the event that there is an injury by a teen or adult participant, the program does not provide medical coverage so that the injured individual is able to be taken to the nearest medical facility for non-delayed treatment. There may or may not be on file a medical authorization for emergency treatment of the injured individual. Individuals and the teen court program are placed into a position of liability and lawsuits.
No employee or volunteer is free from liability or threat of a lawsuit, even if acting as a member of a government agency or non profit organizations, however, the program does not provide protection in the way of a liability coverage, not for the individual , and not for the organization itself.
There may or may not be a training process for the court staff, adults and teens alike, including , but not limited to, training material, including guidelines that must be followed by the jury, judge, and court master for purposes of setting the punishment or conditions that a referral must abide by for a particular offense.
It uses some forms, but not all that are recommended under Classifications I and II above. Consequently, there are some risks factors involved.
The referred cases may or may not have a set guideline for the number of weeks to be involved in the program.
The referral must be required to do community service in any one of a number of areas. The referral may be required to pick up trash outdoors. The risk of infection from discarded needles with aids or other diseases, as well as broken glass and sharp or pointed metals or other objects is assumed as a liability risk that is hoped will not happen with the use of gloves, which may or may not stop a penetrating needle.
There is a certificate of completion of the program for purposes of providing the school proof as evidence needed to dismiss the violation in question.
Comply with all elements of equality with respect to referrals, volunteers and staff without regard to race, creed, disability, or national origin in furtherance of its purpose to help teenagers.
Other elements of a Teen Court Program may consist of the following for either the referrals, the volunteers or a combination of both, however, they do not affect the Class rating if missing.
A court can place a variety of conditions on the defendants such as: essay writing, report writing, letters of apology, returning to school instead of being truant or a drop out, working on special projects, restitution of a variety of means and a number of other elements.
Participation in a variety of activities, such as attending Olympic events, Halloween haunted houses, dances, parties, hay rides, banquets, political functions, sports games, cultural events, concerts, and much more.
Participation in Teen Court competitions, job interview contests, speech contests, and other forms of competition. Participation in other youth leadership programs.
Participation in a variety of community service projects such as food and clothing drives, help for a cancer society , heart foundation, blood drive, graffiti painting, house painting and many other similar projects and fund raising events.
Participate in talent shows, plays, tv shows, training films, public service announcements, news reporting for radio, tv, newspapers, magazines and other publications, web site developing on the internet and much more.
The volunteers are dues paying members of a club that supports and operates the Teen Court which helps provide the program the opportunity to be partially or wholly self-supporting without the use of tax payers money through government grants.
The referrals are expected to pay for their own crimes and not the general public by way of taxes used to support the program.
There are no other categories under this classifications. Most Tribunal Courts fail to meet higher standards as are reflected in Class I and Class II classifications.
Class VI
*Teen, Youth, Student, Peer Jury Panels
*A teen, youth, student, or peer jury panel is not considered a teen court at all, but rather an adult proceeding assisted by teenagers. In most cases an adult sits as judge and the jury questions the defendant instead of attorneys. In addition, another adult or youth presents the case to the jury before it begins to question the defendant. The defendant often times feels a ganging up effect against the defendant as a result of questions coming from a variety of individuals who appear intent on finding the defendant guilty and willing to throw the book at the defendant without benefit of a defense attorney on the defendants side.
The minimum requirements for this classification are as follows
The jury must have a minimum of three jurors. In addition, it must have a prosecuting and defense attorney, a clerk and a bailiff. In addition, the adult judge must always be present in the court room. The teen jurors conduct the entire questioning with interjections from the adult judge.
The program usually operates only during the school year and may or may not occur in the school. The court trials may occur during school hours, afternoons or evenings during the week It is not concerned with the interference with school home work and preparation for tests the nights before a school day as it is the responsibility of the defender to make allowances for those situations, for after all, no one told them to get into trouble.
The referrals may or may not undergo an intake and trial within one to four weeks of being referred. There may be backlogs in this Tribunal Court due to length of time that transpires before the cases may be processed.
There are three (3) or less adults present during the operation of the program. There is no Notary Public present.
The trials are not privately conducted. They have been made available for view to special visitors or observers, the parents and personnel from all forms of news media. Full names of defendants are used. Although the program is designed to help referrals maintain clean records, the teenagers may be embarrassed, ridiculed, or branded as members of the criminal element as a result of exposure.
In the event that there is an injury by a teen or adult participant, the program does not provide medical coverage so that the injured individual is able to be taken to the nearest medical facility for non-delayed treatment. There may or may not be on file a medical authorization for emergency treatment of the injured individual. Individuals and the teen court program are placed into a position of liability and lawsuits.
No employee or volunteer is free from liability or threat of a lawsuit, even if acting as a member of a government agency or non profit organizations, however, the program does not provide protection in the way of a liability coverage, not for the individual , and not for the organization itself.
There may or may not be a training process for the court staff, adults and teens alike, including , but not limited to, training material, including guidelines that must be followed by the jury, judge, and court master for purposes of setting the punishment or conditions that a referral must abide by for a particular offense.
It uses some forms, but not all that are recommended under Classifications I and II above. Consequently, there are some risks factors involved.
The referred cases may or may not have a set guideline for the number of weeks to be involved in the program.
The referral must be required to do community service in any one of a number of areas. The referral may be required to pick up trash outdoors. The risk of infection from discarded needles with aids or other diseases, as well as broken glass and sharp or pointed metals or other objects is assumed as a liability risk that is hoped will not happen with the use of gloves, which may or may not stop a penetrating needle.
There is a certificate of completion of the program for purposes of providing the school proof as evidence needed to dismiss the violation in question.
Comply with all elements of equality with respect to referrals, volunteers and staff without regard to race, creed, disability, or national origin in furtherance of its purpose to help teenagers.
Other elements of a Teen Court Program may consist of the following for either the referrals, the volunteers or a combination of both, however, they do not affect the Class rating if missing.
A court can place a variety of conditions on the defendants such as: essay writing, report writing, letters of apology, returning to school instead of being truant or a drop out, working on special projects, restitution of a variety of means and a number of other elements.
Participation in a variety of activities, such as attending Olympic events, Halloween haunted houses, dances, parties, hay rides, banquets, political functions, sports games, cultural events, concerts, and much more.
Participation in Teen Court competitions, job interview contests, speech contests, and other forms of competition. Participation in other youth leadership programs.
Participation in a variety of community service projects such as food and clothing drives, help for a cancer society , heart foundation, blood drive, graffiti painting, house painting and many other similar projects and fund raising events.
Participate in talent shows, plays, tv shows, training films, public service announcements, news reporting for radio, tv, newspapers, magazines and other publications, web site developing on the internet and much more.
The volunteers are dues paying members of a club that supports and operates the Teen Court which helps provide the program the opportunity to be partially or wholly self-supporting without the use of tax payers money through government grants.
The referrals are expected to pay for their own crimes and not the general public by way of taxes used to support the program.
There are no other categories under this classifications. Most Courts of this type fail to meet higher standards as are reflected in Class I and Class II classifications.
Class VII
*Adult- Teen Assisted Teen Courts
*Teen Courts in this category may have some similarities to Classifications II and III above. These courts, however, would be better described as adult courts assisted by teenagers, rather than a teen court.. The judges are always adults.
*Class VII-A Adult - Teen Assisted Teen Court
*A Class VII Adult-Teen Assisted Teen Court has some similarities to other Teen Courts. It does not follow identical standards to other teen courts operating under a uniform national standard. It is independent to other programs and does not rely on a central national operating policy
The minimum requirements under this classification are as follows:
The Court staff must consist of a prosecuting attorney, a defense attorney, 2 clerks, 3 bailiffs, a court reporter, a jury of no less than five members and no more than 11, all of which must be teenagers. In addition, an adult Judge presides over the trial. Properly trained teen attorneys conducts the entire trial with the adult judge overseeing the proceedings.
The program operates all year just as juvenile crimes does. The court trials occur only on Saturdays as it is the only logical day in which parents and teenagers are more readily available. This is done to prevent loss of wages by parents during the regular work week. It also prevents interference with school home work and preparation for tests the nights before a school day.
The referrals must undergo an intake and trial within a week of being referred. There are no backlogs in a Teen Court. In order for referrals to finish their programs within the allotted time set by the referring court, agency, or school, it is imperative that there be no delays in processing cases.
There are a minimum of five (5) adults present during the operation of the program for the protection of all parties involved in the program. One must be the Judge and another a Notary Public or a combination of both.
The trials are private, although there may be special visitors or observers, the parents and personnel from all forms of news media are banned during trials. Full names of defendants and teen court staff are not used. In addition, teen referrals and teen volunteers are treated equally at all times after the initial trial. In this manner, no visitor is able to determine if the referral is a defendant or a volunteer. After all, the purpose of the program is to develop youth leadership of everyone involved and to help referrals maintain clean records, therefore, the teenagers are not branded as members of the criminal element.
In the event that there is an injury by a teen or adult participant, the program shall provide medical coverage so that the injured individual is able to be taken to the nearest medical facility for non-delayed treatment. There must also be on file a medical authorization for emergency treatment of the injured individual. The medical coverage may be secondary to coverage provided by the injured individual or individual's family. Medical treatment, however, must not be delayed.
No employee or volunteer is free from liability or threat of a lawsuit, even if acting as a member of a government agency or non profit organizations, therefore the program must provide protection in the way of a liability coverage, not only for the individual , but also for the organization itself.
There must be a written handbook/guide containing policies, rules, standards, etc., for the staff and volunteers to read, understand and follow with a signed document on file indicating the understanding and agreement to comply with the contents of the handbook. In addition, there must be on going training of staff and volunteers throughout the year.
There must also be a training process for the court staff, adults and teens alike, including , but not limited to, training material, including guidelines that must be followed by the jury, judge, and court master for purposes of setting the punishment or conditions that a referral must abide by for a particular offense.
The following minimum forms must be used: case referral form, waiver and release of liability forms, non-disclosure/confidentiality form, medical release, release of information form, volunteer application form, adult volunteer/employee pre-screening application packet forms (to prevent unwanted individuals with questionable backgrounds such as child molesters, etc.), youth intake form, parent intake form, request for assistance form, warning notices, log forms, certificate of completion forms, evaluation forms for both individuals and program self-evaluation.
The referred cases must be involved in the program a minimum of 7 weeks and a maximum of 12 weeks. This is done to provide a variety of help to the teenager and the teenager's family without extending past a 90 day period which is often the accepted standard for deferred adjudication cases.
The referrals must participate as members of the jury during the program. The acceptance to participate on a jury is accepted readily and without hesitation by referred cases, once they have been involved with the program two to three weeks. There has been no intentional disruption or delays of court procedures by referred cases under these conditions.
The referred cases must be provided law related education that will provide them with a better understanding of the laws, the expectations of society upon them, the judicial system, the differences between civil law, criminal law, ethical and moral laws.
Referrals must receive a minimum of 14 educational seminars in a variety of areas. The referred cases must be provided job related education that will provide them with a better understanding of what the business world expects from the, how to properly fill out job applications, how to conduct themselves in job interviews, and how to conduct themselves while employed. The job related education is designed to increase the opportunity for the referral to attain a job, maintain the job, and attain promotions and raises.
The referral must also receive say no to tobacco, drugs, and alcohol education to provide the teenagers an opportunity to decide on their own to stop the misuse of such items or to wisely choose not to use them in the future. Many teenagers continue to misuse the items when they are being forced to take a stand against parents, teachers, and the establishment in general that tells them that they must stop because they are told to do so and not because it is their own decision.
Must provide education in other areas which included the encouragement of finishing school, going on to college or trade schools.
Volunteers are provided assistance and opportunities to attain scholarships and other opportunities and/or benefits.
The referral must receive training in self-confidence, self-reliance, self-respect, self-motivation, and self-satisfaction. They must develop or improve their own leadership qualities.
The referral must be required to do community service in any one of a number of areas. The referral must never be allowed to do community service in which the referral is required to pick up trash outdoors. The risk of infection from discarded needles with aids or other diseases, as well as broken glass and sharp or pointed metals or other objects is too high a price to pay for a minor convicted of a minor crime.
There must be at least one social function or event every month in which the referrals participate with volunteers to experience activities, such as barbecues or parties, that do not lead to trouble and provide excellent means of enjoyment and positive acceptable actions.
There must be two or more annual functions that recognize the volunteers and that require attendance by the referred cases.
There must be on going recognition of the referrals throughout the program. Each referral should receive certificates of completion of the training received. This is in addition to a certificate of completion of the program for purposes of providing the referring court or agency proof as evidence needed to dismiss the violation in question.
There must be a mentor and speakers program that provides the teenagers an opportunity to see the world from the prospective view of successful people, happy people, and caring people. Advise and counseling must also be provided in a variety of areas, such as academic, vocational and other areas.
The referral should receive a certificate of membership in the organization for the purpose of encouraging the teenager to continue participation in the program as a respected and treasured volunteer. The teenager should be encouraged to return whenever and as often as possible as might be allowed by the teenager's family.
Comply with all elements of equality with respect to referrals, volunteers and staff without regard to race, creed, disability, or national origin in furtherance of its purpose to help teenagers.
No adult staff or volunteer may drive a teenager, except their own, to or from the Teen Court Program with the exception of a medical emergency and in compliance with the requirements set in the program handbook. The involvement with the Teen Court Program by any such adult that violates this rule is immediately terminated the moment either individual attempts to enter the vehicle, or upon finding that the adult has offered the teenager a lift, but was turned down.
Other elements of a Teen Court Program may consist of the following for either the referrals, the volunteers or a combination of both, however, they do not affect the Class rating if missing.
A court can place a variety of conditions on the defendants such as: essay writing, report writing, letters of apology, returning to school instead of being truant or a drop out, working on special projects, restitution of a variety of means and a number of other elements.
Participation in a variety of activities, such as attending Olympic events, Halloween haunted houses, dances, parties, hay rides, banquets, political functions, sports games, cultural events, concerts, and much more.
Participation in Teen Court competitions, job interview contests, speech contests, and other forms of competition. Participation in other youth leadership programs.
Participation in a variety of community service projects such as food and clothing drives, help for a cancer society , heart foundation, blood drive, graffiti painting, house painting and many other similar projects and fund raising events.
Participate in talent shows, plays, tv shows, training films, public service announcements, news reporting for radio, tv, newspapers, magazines and other publications, web site developing on the internet and much more.
The volunteers are dues paying members of a club that supports and operates the Teen Court which helps provide the program the opportunity to be partially or wholly self-supporting without the use of tax payers money through government grants.
The referrals are expected to pay for their own crimes and not the general public by way of taxes used to support the program.
Class VII- B Adult-Teen Assisted Teen Court
The minimum standards for a Class VII-B are as follows:
The Court staff must consist of a prosecuting attorney, a defense attorney, 2 clerks, 3 bailiffs, a court reporter, a jury of no less than five members and no more than 11, all of which must be teenagers. In addition, an adult judge presides over the court room.
The program operates a minimum of 40 weeks. The court trials occur only on Saturdays as it is the only logical day in which parents and teenagers are more readily available. This is done to prevent loss of wages by parents during the regular work week. It also prevents interference with school home work and preparation for tests the nights before a school day.
The referrals must undergo an intake and trial within a week of being referred. There are no backlogs in a Teen Court. In order for referrals to finish their programs within the allotted time set by the referring court, agency, or school, it is imperative that there be no delays in processing cases.
There are a minimum of five (5) adults present during the operation of the program for the protection of all parties involved in the program. One must be the Judge and another a Notary Public or a combination of both.
The trials are private, although there may be special visitors or observers, the parents and personnel from all forms of news media are banned during trials. Full names of defendants and teen court staff are not used. In addition, teen referrals and teen volunteers are treated equally at all times after the initial trial. In this manner, no visitor is able to determine if the referral is a defendant or a volunteer. After all, the purpose of the program is to develop youth leadership of everyone involved and to help referrals maintain clean records, therefore, the teenagers are not branded as members of the criminal element.
In the event that there is an injury by a teen or adult participant, the program shall provide medical coverage so that the injured individual is able to be taken to the nearest medical facility for non-delayed treatment. There must also be on file a medical authorization for emergency treatment of the injured individual. The medical coverage may be secondary to coverage provided by the injured individual or individual's family. Medical treatment, however, must not be delayed.
No employee or volunteer is free from liability or threat of a lawsuit, even if acting as a member of a government agency or non profit organizations, therefore the program must provide protection in the way of a liability coverage, not only for the individual , but also for the organization itself.
There must be a written handbook/guide containing policies, rules, standards, etc., for the staff and volunteers to read, understand and follow with a signed document on file indicating the understanding and agreement to comply with the contents of the handbook. In addition, there must be on going training of staff and volunteers throughout the year.
There must also be a training process for the court staff, adults and teens alike, including , but not limited to, training material, including guidelines that must be followed by the jury, judge, and court master for purposes of setting the punishment or conditions that a referral must abide by for a particular offense.
The following minimum forms must be used: case referral form, waiver and release of liability forms, non-disclosure/confidentiality form, medical release, release of information form, volunteer application form, adult volunteer/employee pre-screening application packet forms (to prevent unwanted individuals with questionable backgrounds such as child molesters, etc.), youth intake form, parent intake form, request for assistance form, warning notices, log forms, certificate of completion forms, evaluation forms for both individuals and program self-evaluation.
The referred cases must be involved in the program a minimum of 7 weeks and a maximum of 12 weeks. This is done to provide a variety of help to the teenager and the teenager's family without extending past a 90 day period which is often the accepted standard for deferred adjudication cases.
The referrals must participate as members of the jury during the program. The acceptance to participate on a jury is accepted readily and without hesitation by referred cases, once they have been involved with the program two to three weeks. There has been no intentional disruption or delays of court procedures by referred cases under these conditions.
The referred cases must be provided law related education that will provide them with a better understanding of the laws, the expectations of society upon them, the judicial system, the differences between civil law, criminal law, ethical and moral laws.
Referrals must receive a minimum of 14 educational seminars in a variety of areas. The referred cases must be provided job related education that will provide them with a better understanding of what the business world expects from the, how to properly fill out job applications, how to conduct themselves in job interviews, and how to conduct themselves while employed. The job related education is designed to increase the opportunity for the referral to attain a job, maintain the job, and attain promotions and raises.
The referral must also receive say no to tobacco, drugs, and alcohol education to provide the teenagers an opportunity to decide on their own to stop the misuse of such items or to wisely choose not to use them in the future. Many teenagers continue to misuse the items when they are being forced to take a stand against parents, teachers, and the establishment in general that tells them that they must stop because they are told to do so and not because it is their own decision.
Must provide education in other areas which included the encouragement of finishing school, going on to college or trade schools.
Volunteers are provided assistance and opportunities to attain scholarships and other opportunities and/or benefits.
The referral must receive training in self-confidence, self-reliance, self-respect, self-motivation, and self-satisfaction. They must develop or improve their own leadership qualities.
The referral must be required to do community service in any one of a number of areas. The referral must never be allowed to do community service in which the referral is required to pick up trash outdoors. The risk of infection from discarded needles with aids or other diseases, as well as broken glass and sharp or pointed metals or other objects is too high a price to pay for a minor convicted of a minor crime.
There must be at least one social function or event every month in which the referrals participate with volunteers to experience activities, such as barbecues or parties, that do not lead to trouble and provide excellent means of enjoyment and positive acceptable actions.
There must be two or more annual functions that recognize the volunteers and that require attendance by the referred cases.
There must be on going recognition of the referrals throughout the program. Each referral should receive certificates of completion of the training received. This is in addition to a certificate of completion of the program for purposes of providing the referring court or agency proof as evidence needed to dismiss the violation in question.
There must be a mentor and speakers program that provides the teenagers an opportunity to see the world from the prospective view of successful people, happy people, and caring people. Advise and counseling must also be provided in a variety of areas, such as academic, vocational and other areas.
The referral should receive a certificate of membership in the organization for the purpose of encouraging the teenager to continue participation in the program as a respected and treasured volunteer. The teenager should be encouraged to return whenever and as often as possible as might be allowed by the teenager's family.
Comply with all elements of equality with respect to referrals, volunteers and staff without regard to race, creed, disability, or national origin in furtherance of its purpose to help teenagers.
No adult staff or volunteer may drive a teenager, except their own, to or from the Teen Court Program with the exception of a medical emergency and in compliance with the requirements set in the program handbook. The involvement with the Teen Court Program by any such adult that violates this rule is immediately terminated the moment either individual attempts to enter the vehicle, or upon finding that the adult has offered the teenager a lift, but was turned down.
Other elements of a Teen Court Program may consist of the following for either the referrals, the volunteers or a combination of both, however, they do not affect the Class rating if missing.
A court can place a variety of conditions on the defendants such as: essay writing, report writing, letters of apology, returning to school instead of being truant or a drop out, working on special projects, restitution of a variety of means and a number of other elements.
Participation in a variety of activities, such as attending Olympic events, Halloween haunted houses, dances, parties, hay rides, banquets, political functions, sports games, cultural events, concerts, and much more.
Participation in Teen Court competitions, job interview contests, speech contests, and other forms of competition. Participation in other youth leadership programs.
Participation in a variety of community service projects such as food and clothing drives, help for a cancer society , heart foundation, blood drive, graffiti painting, house painting and many other similar projects and fund raising events.
Participate in talent shows, plays, tv shows, training films, public service announcements, news reporting for radio, tv, newspapers, magazines and other publications, web site developing on the internet and much more.
The volunteers are dues paying members of a club that supports and operates the Teen Court which helps provide the program the opportunity to be partially or wholly self-supporting without the use of tax payers money through government grants.
The referrals are expected to pay for their own crimes and not the general public by way of taxes used to support the program.
Class VII-C Adult-Teen Assisted Teen Court
The minimum requirements for this classification are as follows
The Court staff must consist of a prosecuting attorney, a defense attorney, 2 clerks, 3 bailiffs, a court reporter, a jury of no less than five members and no more than 11, all of which must be teenagers. In addition, an adult judge presides over the proceedings
The program operates a minimum of 40 weeks a year. The court trials occur afternoons or evenings during the week It is not concerned with the interference with school home work and preparation for tests the nights before a school day as it is the responsibility of the defender to make allowances for those situations, for after all, no one told them to get into trouble.
The referrals may undergo an intake and trial within one to four weeks of being referred. There may be backlogs in a this Teen Court due to length of time that transpires before the cases may be processed.
There are a minimum of five (5) adults present during the operation of the program for the protection of all parties involved in the program. One must be the Court Master and another a Notary Public or a combination of both.
The trials are private, although there may be special visitors or observers, the parents and personnel from all forms of news media are banned during trials. Full names of defendants and teen court staff are not used. In addition, teen referrals and teen volunteers are treated equally at all times after the initial trial. In this manner, no visitor is able to determine if the referral is a defendant or a volunteer. After all, the purpose of the program is to develop youth leadership of everyone involved and to help referrals maintain clean records, therefore, the teenagers are not branded as members of the criminal element.
In the event that there is an injury by a teen or adult participant, the program shall provide medical coverage so that the injured individual is able to be taken to the nearest medical facility for non-delayed treatment. There must also be on file a medical authorization for emergency treatment of the injured individual. The medical coverage may be secondary to coverage provided by the injured individual or individual's family. Medical treatment, however, must not be delayed.
No employee or volunteer is free from liability or threat of a lawsuit, even if acting as a member of a government agency or non profit organizations, therefore the program must provide protection in the way of a liability coverage, not only for the individual , but also for the organization itself.
There must be a written handbook/guide containing policies, rules, standards, etc., for the staff and volunteers to read, understand and follow with a signed document on file indicating the understanding and agreement to comply with the contents of the handbook. In addition, there must be on going training of staff and volunteers throughout the year.
There must also be a training process for the court staff, adults and teens alike, including , but not limited to, training material, including guidelines that must be followed by the jury, judge, and court master for purposes of setting the punishment or conditions that a referral must abide by for a particular offense.
The following minimum forms must be used: case referral form, waiver and release of liability forms, non-disclosure/confidentiality form, medical release, release of information form, volunteer application form, adult volunteer/employee pre-screening application packet forms (to prevent unwanted individuals with questionable backgrounds such as child molesters, etc.), youth intake form, parent intake form, request for assistance form, warning notices, log forms, certificate of completion forms, evaluation forms for both individuals and program self-evaluation.
The referred cases must be involved in the program a minimum of 7 weeks and a maximum of 12 weeks. This is done to provide a variety of help to the teenager and the teenager's family without extending past a 90 day period which is often the accepted standard for deferred adjudication cases.
The referrals must participate as members of the jury during the program. The acceptance to participate on a jury is accepted readily and without hesitation by referred cases, once they have been involved with the program two to three weeks. There has been no intentional disruption or delays of court procedures by referred cases under these conditions.
Referrals are provided some form of counseling and educational seminars. The seminars may not be required of all volunteers or referrals.
The referral must be required to do community service in any one of a number of areas. The referral must never be allowed to do community service in which the referral is required to pick up trash outdoors. The risk of infection from discarded needles with aids or other diseases, as well as broken glass and sharp or pointed metals or other objects is too high a price to pay for a minor convicted of a minor crime.
There must be on going recognition of the referrals throughout the program. Each referral should receive certificates of completion of the training received. This is in addition to a certificate of completion of the program for purposes of providing the referring court or agency proof as evidence needed to dismiss the violation in question.
Comply with all elements of equality with respect to referrals, volunteers and staff without regard to race, creed, disability, or national origin in furtherance of its purpose to help teenagers.
No adult staff or volunteer may drive a teenager, except their own, to or from the Teen Court Program with the exception of a medical emergency and in compliance with the requirements set in the program handbook. The involvement with the District Teen Court Program by any such adult that violates this rule is immediately terminated the moment either individual attempts to enter the vehicle, or upon finding that the adult has offered the teenager a lift, but was turned down.
Other elements of a Teen Court Program may consist of the following for either the referrals, the volunteers or a combination of both, however, they do not affect the Class rating if missing.
A court can place a variety of conditions on the defendants such as: essay writing, report writing, letters of apology, returning to school instead of being truant or a drop out, working on special projects, restitution of a variety of means and a number of other elements.
Participation in a variety of activities, such as attending Olympic events, Halloween haunted houses, dances, parties, hay rides, banquets, political functions, sports games, cultural events, concerts, and much more.
Participation in Teen Court competitions, job interview contests, speech contests, and other forms of competition. Participation in other youth leadership programs.
Participation in a variety of community service projects such as food and clothing drives, help for a cancer society , heart foundation, blood drive, graffiti painting, house painting and many other similar projects and fund raising events.
Participate in talent shows, plays, tv shows, training films, public service announcements, news reporting for radio, tv, newspapers, magazines and other publications, web site developing on the internet and much more.
The volunteers are dues paying members of a club that supports and operates the Teen Court which helps provide the program the opportunity to be partially or wholly self-supporting without the use of tax payers money through government grants.
The referrals are expected to pay for their own crimes and not the general public by way of taxes used to support the program.
*Class VII-D Adult-Teen Assisted Teen Courts
The minimum requirements for this classification are as follows
The Court staff must consist of a prosecuting attorney, a defense attorney, a clerks, a bailiffs, a jury of no less than five members and no more than 11, all of which must be teenagers. In addition, an adult judge presides over the case.
The program operates a minimum of 40 weeks a year. The court trials occur afternoons or evenings during the week It is not concerned with the interference with school home work and preparation for tests the nights before a school day as it is the responsibility of the defender to make allowances for those situations, for after all, no one told them to get into trouble.
The referrals may undergo an intake and trial within one to four weeks of being referred. There may be backlogs in a this Teen Court due to length of time that transpires before the cases may be processed.
There are less than five (5) adults present during the operation of the program. There is no Notary Public present.
The trials are not privately conducted. They have been made available for view to special visitors or observers, the parents and personnel from all forms of news media. Full names of defendants are used. Although the program is designed to help referrals maintain clean records, the teenagers may be embarrassed, ridiculed, or branded as members of the criminal element as a result of exposure.
In the event that there is an injury by a teen or adult participant, the program shall provide medical coverage so that the injured individual is able to be taken to the nearest medical facility for non-delayed treatment. There must also be on file a medical authorization for emergency treatment of the injured individual. The medical coverage may be secondary to coverage provided by the injured individual or individual's family. Medical treatment, however, must not be delayed.
No employee or volunteer is free from liability or threat of a lawsuit, even if acting as a member of a government agency or non profit organizations, therefore the program must provide protection in the way of a liability coverage, not only for the individual , but also for the organization itself.
There must also be a training process for the court staff, adults and teens alike, including , but not limited to, training material, including guidelines that must be followed by the jury, judge, and court master for purposes of setting the punishment or conditions that a referral must abide by for a particular offense.
It uses some forms, but not all that are recommended under Classifications I and II above. Consequently, there are some risks factors involved.
The referred cases do not have a set guideline for the number of weeks to be involved in the program.
The referrals must participate as members of the jury during the program.
Referrals are provided some form of counseling and educational seminars. The seminars may not be required of all volunteers or referrals.
The referral must be required to do community service in any one of a number of areas. The referral must never be allowed to do community service in which the referral is required to pick up trash outdoors. The risk of infection from discarded needles with aids or other diseases, as well as broken glass and sharp or pointed metals or other objects is too high a price to pay for a minor convicted of a minor crime.
There is a certificate of completion of the program for purposes of providing the referring court or agency proof as evidence needed to dismiss the violation in question.
Comply with all elements of equality with respect to referrals, volunteers and staff without regard to race, creed, disability, or national origin in furtherance of its purpose to help teenagers.
Other elements of a Teen Court Program may consist of the following for either the referrals, the volunteers or a combination of both, however, they do not affect the Class rating if missing.
A court can place a variety of conditions on the defendants such as: essay writing, report writing, letters of apology, returning to school instead of being truant or a drop out, working on special projects, restitution of a variety of means and a number of other elements.
Participation in a variety of activities, such as attending Olympic events, Halloween haunted houses, dances, parties, hay rides, banquets, political functions, sports games, cultural events, concerts, and much more.
Participation in Teen Court competitions, job interview contests, speech contests, and other forms of competition. Participation in other youth leadership programs.
Participation in a variety of community service projects such as food and clothing drives, help for a cancer society , heart foundation, blood drive, graffiti painting, house painting and many other similar projects and fund raising events.
Participate in talent shows, plays, tv shows, training films, public service announcements, news reporting for radio, tv, newspapers, magazines and other publications, web site developing on the internet and much more.
The volunteers are dues paying members of a club that supports and operates the Teen Court which helps provide the program the opportunity to be partially or wholly self-supporting without the use of tax payers money through government grants.
The referrals are expected to pay for their own crimes and not the general public by way of taxes used to support the program.
Class VII-E Adult-Teen Assisted Teen Courts
The minimum requirements for this classification are as follows
The Court staff must consist of a prosecuting attorney, a defense attorney, a clerk, a bailiff, a jury of no less than five members and no more than 11, all of which must be teenagers. In addition, an adult judge that presides over the cases.
The program operates a minimum of 36 weeks a year. The court trials occur afternoons or evenings during the week It is not concerned with the interference with school home work and preparation for tests the nights before a school day as it is the responsibility of the defender to make allowances for those situations, for after all, no one told them to get into trouble.
The referrals may undergo an intake and trial within one to four weeks of being referred. There may be backlogs in this Teen Court due to length of time that transpires before the cases may be processed.
There are three (3) or less adults present during the operation of the program. There is no Notary Public present.
The trials are not privately conducted. They have been made available for view to special visitors or observers, the parents and personnel from all forms of news media. Full names of defendants are used. Although the program is designed to help referrals maintain clean records, the teenagers may be embarrassed, ridiculed, or branded as members of the criminal element as a result of exposure.
In the event that there is an injury by a teen or adult participant, the program does not provide medical coverage so that the injured individual is able to be taken to the nearest medical facility for non-delayed treatment. There may or may not be on file a medical authorization for emergency treatment of the injured individual. Individuals and the teen court program are placed into a position of liability and lawsuits.
No employee or volunteer is free from liability or threat of a lawsuit, even if acting as a member of a government agency or non profit organizations, however, the program does not provide protection in the way of a liability coverage, not for the individual , and not for the organization itself.
There may or may not be a training process for the court staff, adults and teens alike, including , but not limited to, training material, including guidelines that must be followed by the jury, judge, and court master for purposes of setting the punishment or conditions that a referral must abide by for a particular offense.
It uses some forms, but not all that are recommended under Classifications I and II above. Consequently, there are some risks factors involved.
The referred cases do not have a set guideline for the number of weeks to be involved in the program.
The referrals must participate as members of the jury during the program.
Referrals may or may not be provided some form of counseling and educational seminars. The seminars may not be required of all volunteers or referrals.
The referral must be required to do community service in any one of a number of areas. The referral may be required to pick up trash outdoors. The risk of infection from discarded needles with aids or other diseases, as well as broken glass and sharp or pointed metals or other objects is assumed as a liability risk that is hoped will not happen with the use of gloves, which may or may not stop a penetrating needle.
There is a certificate of completion of the program for purposes of providing the referring court or agency proof as evidence needed to dismiss the violation in question.
Comply with all elements of equality with respect to referrals, volunteers and staff without regard to race, creed, disability, or national origin in furtherance of its purpose to help teenagers.
Other elements of a Teen Court Program may consist of the following for either the referrals, the volunteers or a combination of both, however, they do not affect the Class rating if missing.
A court can place a variety of conditions on the defendants such as: essay writing, report writing, letters of apology, returning to school instead of being truant or a drop out, working on special projects, restitution of a variety of means and a number of other elements.
Participation in a variety of activities, such as attending Olympic events, Halloween haunted houses, dances, parties, hay rides, banquets, political functions, sports games, cultural events, concerts, and much more.
Participation in Teen Court competitions, job interview contests, speech contests, and other forms of competition. Participation in other youth leadership programs.
Participation in a variety of community service projects such as food and clothing drives, help for a cancer society , heart foundation, blood drive, graffiti painting, house painting and many other similar projects and fund raising events.
Participate in talent shows, plays, tv shows, training films, public service announcements, news reporting for radio, tv, newspapers, magazines and other publications, web site developing on the internet and much more.
The volunteers are dues paying members of a club that supports and operates the Teen Court which helps provide the program the opportunity to be partially or wholly self-supporting without the use of tax payers money through government grants.
The referrals are expected to pay for their own crimes and not the general public by way of taxes used to support the program.
Class VII-F Adult-Teen Assisted Teen Court
The minimum requirements for this classification are as follows
The Court staff must consist of a prosecuting attorney, a defense attorney, a clerk, a bailiff, a jury of no less than five members and no more than 11, all of which must be teenagers. In addition, an adult judge presides over the court case.
The program operates a minimum of 36 weeks a year. The court trials occur afternoons or evenings during the week It is not concerned with the interference with school home work and preparation for tests the nights before a school day as it is the responsibility of the defender to make allowances for those situations, for after all, no one told them to get into trouble.
The referrals may undergo an intake and trial within one to four weeks of being referred. There may be backlogs in this Teen Court due to length of time that transpires before the cases may be processed.
There are three (3) or less adults present during the operation of the program. There is no Notary Public present.
The trials are not privately conducted. They have been made available for view to special visitors or observers, the parents and personnel from all forms of news media. Full names of defendants are used. Although the program is designed to help referrals maintain clean records, the teenagers may be embarrassed, ridiculed, or branded as members of the criminal element as a result of exposure.
In the event that there is an injury by a teen or adult participant, the program does not provide medical coverage so that the injured individual is able to be taken to the nearest medical facility for non-delayed treatment. There may or may not be on file a medical authorization for emergency treatment of the injured individual. Individuals and the teen court program are placed into a position of liability and lawsuits.
No employee or volunteer is free from liability or threat of a lawsuit, even if acting as a member of a government agency or non profit organizations, however, the program does not provide protection in the way of a liability coverage, not for the individual , and not for the organization itself.
There may or may not be a training process for the court staff, adults and teens alike, including , but not limited to, training material, including guidelines that must be followed by the jury, judge, and court master for purposes of setting the punishment or conditions that a referral must abide by for a particular offense.
It uses some forms, but not all that are recommended under Classifications I and II above. Consequently, there are some risks factors involved.
The referred cases do not have a set guideline for the number of weeks to be involved in the program.
The referrals must participate as members of the jury during the program.
The referral must be required to do community service in any one of a number of areas. The referral may be required to pick up trash outdoors. The risk of infection from discarded needles with aids or other diseases, as well as broken glass and sharp or pointed metals or other objects is assumed as a liability risk that is hoped will not happen with the use of gloves, which may or may not stop a penetrating needle.
There is a certificate of completion of the program for purposes of providing the referring court or agency proof as evidence needed to dismiss the violation in question.
Comply with all elements of equality with respect to referrals, volunteers and staff without regard to race, creed, disability, or national origin in furtherance of its purpose to help teenagers.
Other elements of a Teen Court Program may consist of the following for either the referrals, the volunteers or a combination of both, however, they do not affect the Class rating if missing.
A court can place a variety of conditions on the defendants such as: essay writing, report writing, letters of apology, returning to school instead of being truant or a drop out, working on special projects, restitution of a variety of means and a number of other elements.
Participation in a variety of activities, such as attending Olympic events, Halloween haunted houses, dances, parties, hay rides, banquets, political functions, sports games, cultural events, concerts, and much more.
Participation in Teen Court competitions, job interview contests, speech contests, and other forms of competition. Participation in other youth leadership programs.
Participation in a variety of community service projects such as food and clothing drives, help for a cancer society , heart foundation, blood drive, graffiti painting, house painting and many other similar projects and fund raising events.
Participate in talent shows, plays, tv shows, training films, public service announcements, news reporting for radio, tv, newspapers, magazines and other publications, web site developing on the internet and much more.
The volunteers are dues paying members of a club that supports and operates the Teen Court which helps provide the program the opportunity to be partially or wholly self-supporting without the use of tax payers money through government grants.
The referrals are expected to pay for their own crimes and not the general public by way of taxes used to support the program.
There are no other categories of under this classifications. Any teen court program that fails to provide the minimum requirements set forth above fall under other classifications.
Class VIII
*Adult-Teen Assisted Teen Courts
*Class VIII -A-F Adult-Teen Assisted Teen Courts
*The only difference between Class VII and Class VIII is that in Class VIII the roles of attorneys are also performed by adults. In addition, the bailiffs, and clerks may also be adults. Once again, this is even more of an adult court that is being assisted by teenagers, than it is a teen court.
Class IX
*Part-Time Teen Courts
*There are a number of teen court programs that operate strictly on a part time basis. That is to say that in some weeks of every month or in some months they do not operate at all. They may only operate as little as once a month or perhaps even less.
Seven types of teen courts may fall in this category: teen, youth, peer, student, tribunal, jury, or adult-teen Assisted Teen Courts. They all have several things in common. They seldom meet. They fail to meet most of the standards in Classes I, II, and III.
These courts seldom provide anything more than a trial of a teenager with community service as a punishment. A court can place a variety of conditions on the defendants such as: essay writing, report writing, letters of apology, returning to school instead of being truant or a drop out, working on special projects, restitution of a variety of means and a number of other elements.
Email: ntca@earthalliance.com
