Teen Court is a collaborative
effort between the Pennington county State's Attorney, the 7th Judicial Circuit Court and The Office of
Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. Juvenile offenders, ages 12 - 17, are referred to
Teen Court by the State's Attorneys as an alternative to the formal juvenile justice system.
Teen Court is a sentencing
hearing where offenders' cases are presented to a jury of their peers by teen volunteer
attorneys. The peer jury then decides a constructive disposition based on the mitigating
and aggravating circumstances of the case.
Teen Court is a "second chance" for
those youths who have made a poor choice(s) and have little or no previous criminal history. Hopefully, after
the Teen Court experience, the youth will stay free of the criminal court system.
Upon successful completion of the program, offenders' cases will not be formally charged.
Who Participates?
Defendants
Juveniles who plead guilty to misdemeanor offenses that may include:
Disturbance of school
Minor consumption/possession of alcohol
Petty theft
Simple assault
Disorderly conduct
Ingestion/possession of marijuana or drug paraphernalia
The defendant has a $25 fee and 90 days to complete his/her court requirements.
Volunteers
Teen Volunteers are trained to perform the roles of attorneys, bailiffs, court clerks, jurors, exit officers and more. A Teen Advisory Committee provides feedback and assists staff in decision-making and program planning.
Adult Volunteers may perform roles such as Judges and Jury Monitors as well as volunteer recruitment and training, publicity, and assistance in overall programming.
Why Teen Court?
Teen Court...
...helps youth realize they will be held accountable for their problem behavior.
...educates youth on the impact their actions have on themselves and others (i.e. victims and the community).
...builds competencies in youth by providing instruction in how the legal system functions and how to communicate and resolve problems with peers more effectively.
...provides a meaningful forum for youth to practice and enhance newly developed competencies.
...assists the juvenile court system by reducing backlog, court time and expense.
...benefits the community be reducing and preventing crime and providing community service volunteers.
...encourages all who participate to recognize the impact on victims and what needs to be done to repair the harm.
From APPA's "Peer Justice and Youth Empowerment" (Oct 1996)
What are the Possible Dispositions?
Accountability
Community Safety
Increasing Competencies
PROPERTY OFFENSE CLASS
A two-hour class focusing on the short and long-term effects of theft.
SUBSTANCE ABUSE EDUCATION
Referrals made to Lifeways Advisors or The City/County Alcohol and Other Drug Program
STOP AND THINK CLASS
A two-hour class highlighting choices and consequences.
MADD VICTIM IMPACT PANEL
In this informative session, compelling stories from victims of impaired-driving crashes are shared.
JURY TERMS
Defendants server on at least one jury panel in a future sentencing hearing.
COMMUNITY CONNECTION
Volunteer hours are performed for a non-profit organization or victim in the community.
OTHER OPTIONS, but not limited to:
Verbal or Written Apologies, Essays, Artwork, Counseling, Restitution, Mentoring, Tours of Facilities, Research, Interviews and more.
The Teen Court cannot sentence time at JSC, take away a driver's license, put youth on formal probation or add fines.
Where is it?
Pennington County State's Attorney Office
Public Safety Building
300 Kansas City Street, Suite 400
Rapid City, SD 57701
The Teen Court Office and Teen Court Hearings are located on the 4th floor.
Mission Statement
To provide youth the opportunity to be held accountable for their actions through a partnership with their peers in the community.
(2001-2002 Teen Advisory Board)
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