Youth Court Programs
A National Overview
Youth Court
Youth Courts are also known as
• Teen Court
• Peer Court
• Student Court
What is Youth Court?
A program in which youth are sentenced
by their peers
Respondents/defendants
11-17 years old
Youth Volunteers
13-18 years old
Youth Court Provides
the Community
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An early intervention and prevention program
An option on the continuum of juvenile services
A way to hold juvenile offenders accountable
A means for educating youth on the legal and
judicial system/Builds competencies
• A meaningful forum for youth to practice and
enhance skills
• An avenue for building ties between youth and
their community
Most Youth Courts…
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Function as diversion programs
Accept first-time offenders
Accept misdemeanor, non-violent cases
Require youth to admit to the charge and
voluntarily participate in the program
• Require parental consent for the youth to
participate
States with Youth Court Programs
As of March, 2007
• 1139 youth courts in the
United States
• 49 States and DC
Who Administers
Youth Court
Non-Profit (28%)
Juvenile/Municipal Court
(16%)
Law Enforcement (15%)
City/County Government
(13)
Probation (13%
Schools (5%)
Other (10%)
Types of Offenses
Possession of
Marijuana
Tobacco
Assault
Alcohol
Disorderly Conduct
Vandalism
Theft
Types of Offenses
Traffic
School
Disciplinary
Curfew
Common Sentencing
Options
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Community Service
Oral/Written Apologies
Essays
Restitution
Jury Duty
Educational Workshops
Additional Sentencing
Options
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Alcohol/Drug Assessment
Curfew
Tutoring
Victim Awareness Class or Panel
Peer Mediation
Primary Youth Court
Program Models
• Adult Judge Model
• Youth Judge Model
• Youth Tribunal Model
• Peer Jury Model
Adult Judge Model
• Youth volunteers serve in the roles of:
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Defense Attorneys
Prosecuting Attorneys
Clerks
Bailiffs
Jurors
• Adult volunteers serve in the roles of:
– Judge
Youth Judge Model
Youth Volunteers serve in the role of:
• Judge
• Prosecuting Attorneys
• Defense Attorneys
• Clerks
• Bailiffs
• Jurors
Youth Tribunal Model
• Youth volunteers serve in the roles of:
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Judge(s) – usually a panel of three judges
Defense Attorneys
Prosecuting Attorneys
Clerks
Bailiffs
• There is NO PEER JURY – youth
judges determine the sentence
Peer Jury Model
• Adult or youth volunteer serves in the
role of judge or monitor
• Youth volunteers serves as jurors and
question the defendant directly
• Some programs use youth advocates to
provide support for the defendant
Contact the
Federal Youth Court Program
Information
Training
Technical
Assistance
Resources
National Council for Juvenile and Family
Court Judges
P.O. Box 8970
Reno, NV 89507
Phone: (775) 784-6012
Fax: (775) 784-6628
Email: youthcourt@ncjfcj.org
Web: www.youthcourt.net
For More Information on the local
youth court program, please contact: