teen - prevention and treatment...
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courtteen
OF LENOIR COUNTY
252.523.5576P.O. BOX 3708
KINSTON, NC [email protected]
VolunteerInformation
We welcome the opportunity for communitymembers to learn and become active membersin the Teen Court process. Teen volunteer positions are bailiff, clerk, jury member, and attorney. Adult volunteer positions are jurymonitor, courtroom monitor, and exit interviewer.
Teen Court sessions are held on the first andthird Tuesdays of each month. Volunteersshould arrive to the Lenoir CountyCourthouse at 5:30pm.
Upon arrival, please sign in and make sure thatyou have completed a volunteer application.
“Like” Teen Court of Lenoir County on Facebook to receive reminders for teen court sessions,
and volunteer training events: www.facebook.com/tclenoir
Teen Court of Lenoir County is a Juvenile Crime Prevention Council Program,
sponsored by the Prevention and TreatmentCenter and Lenoir County; and funded by the North Carolina Department of Public
Safety, Division of Adult Correction and Juvenile Justice.
Teen Court of Lenoir County is an active member of the
North Carolina Teen Court Association.
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Teen Court is a diversion program designed foryouth offenders, ages 12 - 17, who have no priorcriminal record, and are still enrolled in school.Youth make restitution for their offense throughcommunity service, jury duty, and educationalopportunities. Participation in the program is voluntary and based on the understanding thatthe defendant must admit guilt.
The program is designed to inform youth offenders about the court system, and to allowthem to explain their involvement in the offenseto a group of their peers in a court setting. TeenCourt demonstrates the influence of positive peerpressure and allows young people to realize theycan play a meaningful role in reducing crime theircommunity.
• Reduce the likelihood of youth reoffending.• Minimize negative labeling of youth offenders.• Require young people to take responsibility
for their actions.• Provide restitution to the victims and the
community.• Allow the community to have an active role in
addressing youth crime.• Educate youth about the criminal justice
system.
The process begins when the Teen Court coordinator receives a referral. Referrals to theprogram are received from Juvenile CourtCounselors, Student Resource Officers, and District Court. Once the coordinator deems thecase appropriate for Teen Court, an intake appointment with the defendant and his or herparent or guardian is scheduled. At the intakeappointment, the program guidelines are explained and a Teen Court hearing is scheduled.
At the Teen Court hearing, the facts arepresented to the courtroom by teen attorneys,and the defendant is called to the stand to answer questions regarding the offense. The teen jury, which includes volunteers and past defendants, then retires to the deliberation roomto decide on a constructive sentence. The jurythen issues a constructive sentence to thedefendant and he or she has ninety days to complete the sanctions.
Upon successful completion of the constructivesentence, an exit appointment is scheduled. After the exit appointment is completed, the coordinator notifies the referring agency, andthe charge is dismissed.
Teen Court consists of teen and adult volunteers,defendants and their parent/guardian, and anadult judge. Teen volunteers are from middle and high schools, and serve as bailiff, clerk, jury members, and attorneys. The adult judge is typically a local attorney or judge. Other adult volunteers serve as jury monitors andexit interviewers.
The defendants, volunteers, and community allstand to benefit from Teen Court.
DEFENDANTS BENEFIT BY...The opportunity to learn positive behavioral pat-terns. Admitting their guilt, serving their sen-tence, and having their criminal chargedismissed. Having a second chance to become avaluable member of the community.
VOLUNTEERS BENEFIT BY...Learning how to work together as communitymembers in the democratic process. Being ableto look into future career possibilities and “hands on” experience in our legal system.
THE COMMUNITY BENEFITS BY...Having youth get an early preview into whatbreaking the law can lead to. Saving hundreds ofdollars in juvenile and district court expenses.
courtteen What
is it?
Howdoes it work?
Who attendsTEEN court?
Who benefits & how?
Program Goals: