Welcome on Behalf of Judge Chief Hentz McClellan,
Judge Brantley Clark, and ADR Director Carol Dunaway
Teen Court Helping Youth Have a 2 nd Chance
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Kyle Hudson
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Carla Hand
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Teen Court-Helping Youth Get a 2nd Chance in the 14th Circuit
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 Remember John, we will come back to John at the end of our presentation
 2007 Arrested for
Resisting An Officer
Without Violence
Age 17
Teen Court-Helping Youth Get a 2nd Chance in the 14th Circuit
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E.
F.
C.
D.
A.
B.
G.
H.
I.
J.
What is the Teen Court Mission
Teen Courts in Florida, 14th Judicial Circuit, and Bay County Teen Court
Structure - Staff, Advisory Board, Volunteers, Participants
Funding to operate Teen Court and Annual Budget
Partners that contribute to success of Teen Court
How the Bay County Teen Court Program Operates & Steps to Successfully
Completing the Program
Success rate for those Youth who Successfully Complete the Program
Annual Recognition - Christmas Party & Awards/Appreciation Banquet
Issues facing Teen Court
Summary & Questions and Answers
Teen Court-Helping Youth Get a 2nd Chance in the 14th Circuit
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A staff and volunteers dedicated to diverting 1st time Offenders, charged with Misdemeanor Crimes, to a program that offers, upon successful completion, an alternative to Juvenile Court,
Expunction of the charge from their record, and the legal authority to “deny or fail to acknowledge the charge/arrest” (fs 943.0582)
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.
th
Teen Court Programs in Florida are supervised, staffed, funded, and operated differently - one size does not fit all - even within a circuit such as the 14th Circuit. It is what works best for each county!
56 of the 67 Counties in Florida have Teen Courts. 11 Counties (16%) have the opportunity to develop a
Teen Court Program. They are: a.
Franklin f. Liberty * k. Wakulla b.
Glades * g. Levy c.
Hamilton h. Madison d.
Hardee * i. Putnam e.
Lafayette j. Union *
*New Clerks
The 6 Counties in the 14th Circuit are supervised, staffed, funded, and operated differently - as you can see in our 6 Counties the supervising entity varies; However we do have a Circuit Judge Allen Register,
Administrative Juvenile Judge, who works with Court Administration and each County’s Teen Court Program to insure communication and any issues that might arise. Other options for supervision can be the Clerk or
Sheriff to be the supervising entity. a.
Bay - Court Administration b.
Jackson – Non-Profit c.
Gulf/Calhoun - County Judges d.
Washington - Director/Board e.
Holmes - Non-Profit, Board, Sheriff, Clerk, $65 fee
Teen Court-Helping Youth Get a 2nd Chance in the 14th Circuit
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A.
Oversight - Chief Judge, Juvenile Judge & Court Administration
B.
Dedicated Staff - Suzanne Cox, Director & Randy Jordan, Assistant Director
C. Advisory Board Members - SA , PD, LEO’S, Civic Club Representatives, and Private Citizens
D. Adult and Youth Volunteers Attorney’s, Private Citizens, and Students who participate in the Teen Court each Tuesday.
*ADULT VOLUNTEER HOURS 2013 207 HOURS
*YOUTH VOLUNTEER HOURS 2013 376 HOURS
TOTAL VOLUNTEER HOURS 2013 583 HOURS
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Teen Court-Helping Youth Get a 2nd Chance in the 14th Circuit

1 . Florida Statute 939.185 allows for funding of Teen Court Programs
2.
The statute allows the County Commission to approve an ordinance which asses a fee of $65 (Court Innovation fund) imposed by the Court on Misdemeanor or Criminal Traffic
Offenses. Bay County Commission approved the ordinance under the statute.
3.
The $65 Court Innovation fund is split four (4) ways - 25% to fund Teen Court Program,
Law Library, Legal Aid and Innovative Court Programs (Courts).
4.
The Bay County Teen Court Program annual budget averages $106,000. $65 fee had been generating revenue to cover annual budget - 2008 the BOCC in Bay County began subsidizing the Teen Court Program. This Indicates support and confidence in the program.
5.
Operating cost per day for a Youth in Teen Court vs. Other Options - PAY NOW OR PAY
LATER!
a. Cost/Day to carry a youth in Bay County Teen Court $3.62 based on 325 youth (2011) for 90 days and expenses of $106,000. b. Cost/Day for Jail Incarceration - $50.79/day c. Cost/Day for Juvenile Detention - $239.00 (Pre disposition cost paid by the BOCC)
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Teen Court-Helping Youth Get a 2nd Chance in the 14th Circuit

A.
B.
Board County Commissioners - Financial
C.
State of Florida – Insurance - Liability/W/C on participant and AB&T referrals
D.
Public Defender - Referral/Review/MOU
E.
State Attorney - Referral/Review/MOU
F.
Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) - Referral/Review/MOU
G. Law Enforcement Officers - Sheriff, Police Departments, FHP, Referrals, Community Service and
Liability Insurance for Officers supervising Community Service
H.
County Agencies - Bay County Jail - Jail Tour, Medical Examiner’s Office – M.E. Tour
I.
Civic Clubs - Advisory Board and Awards/Appreciation Banquet financial support
J.
Private Citizens - Advisory Board
K.
Business/Professional - Volunteers for Court night
L.
Staff - Dedicated to the Youth, Parents, and the success of the progr am administrative juvenile judge, court administration staff
Teen Court-Helping Youth Get a 2nd Chance in the 14th Circuit
Chief judge,
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To provide you with an idea of the program activity let’s begin by reviewing the Bay County
Director’s Report to the board dated July 25, 2013
Referrals
Male 134
Female 93
18 years old 1
17 years old 52
16 years old 46
15 years old 54
14 years old 37
13 years old 17
12 years old 18
11 years old 2
Referrals for 2013: 227 (Annualized 334)
Referring Agency
Bay County Sheriff’s Office
Boca Raton Police Services Department
Florida Highway Patrol
Lynn Haven Police Department
Panama City Beach Police Department
Panama City Police Department
Parker Police Department
Springfield Police Department
State of Florida, Division of AB&T
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51
4
9
106
1
1
23
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Teen Court-Helping Youth Get a 2nd Chance in the 14th Circuit
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How the Bay County Teen Court Operates & Steps to
Successfully Completing the Program
Bay County
Director’s Report to the board dated July 25, 2013 - Continued
Charges
Battery
Criminal Mischief
Disorderly Conduct
Domestic Battery
False ID to Law Enforcement
False Report to Law Enforcement
Loitering or Prowling
Minor in Possession of Alcohol
Miscellaneous
Obstructing an Officer
Possession of Drug without Prescription
Possession of Marijuana <20 Grams
Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
Principle to Theft
Resisting without Violence
Theft
Trespassing
14
1
1
4
36
20
1
37
7
24
17
2
2
7
11
64
6
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Teen Court-Helping Youth Get a 2nd Chance in the 14th Circuit

Designed to be very structured, accountability by Youth, Parents/Guardian, and certain steps not completed dismissed from the program. The average period to complete 90 days .
1. Staff pick up affidavits or receive via email from DJJ,
SAO and all local LEO’S
2. Run background checks-in house, DJJ, Clerk
3. Log - In Teen Court Database - Case/Personal
Information, Court Date, Homework Packet Date
4. Defendant File Developed
5. Send out intake appointment letter - To Youth,
Parent/Guardian, Questionnaire
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STEPS TO SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETING -
CONTINUED
6.
Intake Appointment - Collect questionnaire, explain program, homework packet, drug test, consent forms, and set court date
7.
Homework Packet - Required completion - 27 page packet due Friday prior to defendant going to court on Tuesday
8.
Defendant Notebook provided - 51 page Defendant Notebook explaining program and calendars to log assignments, due dates, and appointments
9.
Homework Packet read and approved - If the homework packet is turned in late or incomplete, the defendant’s case is closed as ineligible and the case is sent to DJJ for prosecution in Juvenile Court
10. Court - Defendant/Parent/Guardian arrive @ Teen Court Office 4:00 p.m
a.
Court Proceedings b.
Jury Deliberation c.
Verdict and Sanctions d.
Open Court Apology to Parent/Guardian e.
Signing of contract with Defendant, Parent/Guardian - Lists all sanctions required
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Teen Court-Helping Youth Get a 2nd Chance in the 14th Circuit
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STEPS TO SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETING -
CONTINUED
11. Log Sanctions
12. Writing Assignments - Communication and Life Skills
Questionnaire, Jail Tour Questionnaire, Essay on how Jail Tour affected youth and Apology Letters
13. Presentation - A defendant may be sanctioned to give 15-20 minute
Presentation to a Youth Program
14. Curfew - Week/60 days (except for School, Church, and/or
Escorted by Parents)
15. House Arrest - Week/60 days (except for School, Church, and/or
Escorted by Parents)
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Teen Court-Helping Youth Get a 2nd Chance in the 14th Circuit

STEPS TO SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETING -
CONTINUED
16. Community Service – Defendants are required to perform Community Service Hours.
These hours are supervised by Teen Court staff doing lawns for the elderly/disabled and hospice patients, non-profit organizations and schools. 2086 Community Service Hours have been worked by Defendants in 2013.
17. Jail Tour - Mandatory Sanction for all Teen Court Defendants
18. Communication and Life Skills Session - All Teen Court Defendants and their
Parents/Guardian are required to participate in this one time 3 hour Session. This
Session deals with Communication Issues and other subjects that relates to the
Parent/Child relationship. Session conducted at the Teen Court Office.
19. Jury Duties - Defendants receive 2-4 Jury Duties for a single charge excluding drug charges. Drug charges carry a minimum of 4 to a maximum of 6 Jury Duties.
20. At the completion of the program, the defendant can apply for a Juvenile Diversion
Expunction through FDLE (FS 943.0582) and have the legal authority to deny or fail to acknowledge the charge/arrest.
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SUCCESS RATE FOR SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETING
THE BAY COUNTY TEEN COURT PROGRAM
A three (3) year recidivism study shows that if a child successfully completes the Bay County Teen Court Program
84.3% did not reoffend within one year of their completion date.
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CHRISTMAS PARTY & AWARDS/APPRECIATION BANQUET
1. Annual Christmas Party from 4:00 - 6:00 allows youth, parents, volunteers, partners to attend. The Advisory Board funds the event with the help of volunteers.
2. Annual Awards/Appreciation Banquet attended by over 200. There is a guest speaker, recognition, and awards presented to youth, participating volunteers/agencies, and recognition for those groups who fund the banquet. In addition a college scholarship is awarded each year to the volunteer. At last month’s banquet Nicole Fischer was presented a $1200 scholarship to attend GCSC to become an
EMT. Nicole volunteered over 500 hours to Bay County Teen Court over the last 4 years.
3. Since 1999 $19,500 in scholarships to Gulf Coast State College
(GCSC) have been presented.
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Teen Court-Helping Youth Get a 2nd Chance in the 14th Circuit

A. Funding
B. Volunteers - Adult/Youth
C. Program changes from State Agencies
D. Succession within Agencies with
Program Knowledge/Understanding
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Bay County Teen Court is one example of a successful
Teen Court Program in our Circuit. We have others in our
Circuit that are just as successful with the local Judges,
Director/Board, Non-profit, Sheriff, or School Board directing. There are countless other successful programs throughout the state. The important point is they have a
Teen Court helping youth have a 2nd chance. I encourage you as a new clerk if you do not have a Teen Court Program take the lead and begin a program. If there is one volunteer and get active.
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Teen Court-Helping Youth Get a 2nd Chance in the 14th Circuit

Why because there may be a
John in your community that needs a 2nd chance.
Remember John when he was arrested he was 17, he is currently 24, attended GCSC
“Criminal Justice Corrections
Standards ” and started working at the Bay County Sheriff’s
Office Jail 2009. He is now a
K-9 Officer. John also speaks to the youth while they are on the Jail Tour about his time in
Teen Court and how it gave him a 2nd chance.
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Teen Court-Helping Youth Get a 2nd Chance in the 14th Circuit
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