What Are the Benefits of Whom Do I Contact for More Volunteering With Teen ? Information? Teen Court Volunteers learn valuable skills such as Alan Stevens, conflict resolution, public speaking, and Executive Director, ACLCE of problem solving. Teens meet and work with other teens from throughout Jefferson Cumberland School of Law County. Teens are also placed in integral 800 Lakeshore Drive Jefferson County, roles that can empower them to address Birmingham, AL 35229 problems within their community thereby (205) 726-2433 Birmingham & developing and/or strengthening their sense [email protected] of citizenship while interacting regularly Bessemer Division with influential members of the community including judges, attorneys, and educators. All teen volunteers must complete a 16 hour law-related education training program enhancing their knowledge of the justice system and the consequences of . In addition, teen volunteers earn community service hours for their service in Teen Court.

What Types of Cases Are Heard in Teen Court? www.aclce.org Teen offenders who have committed a Teen Court is directed and managed or minor offenses may be by: referred to Teen Court. The most common Teen Court Has Been Funded By: types of cases heard in Teen Court are Junior League of Birmingham Alabama Center shoplifting, disorderly conduct, minor in possession of alcohol or drugs, and affray. The Service League for Law & Civic Family Court of Jefferson Where Are the Hearings Conducted? County Education Cumberland School of Law In the past, Teen Court was held at the Private Donations 800 Lakeshore Drive Birmingham Division on the first Tuesday Birmingham, AL 35229 evenings and Bessemer Division the first (205) 726-2433 Thursday evening of each month during the www.aclce.org academic school year. What Is Teen Court? How Does Teen Court Work? Can Adults Volunteer for Teen Court? Teen Court is a peer sentencing court for Teen Court is a REAL sentencing court for juvenile offenders charged with youthful offenders. The offender is Adult volunteers are a critical element of or minor . It is an represented and prosecuted by teen attorneys this program. Adult volunteers interact alternative to the traditional juvenile justice and goes before a of peers who decide with teen volunteers and defendants system that empowers youth and how the defendant will be held accountable directly impacting their lives. communities to take an active role in for his or her actions. The jury is presented addressing the early stages of youth with evidence relevant to sentencing, delinquency. Teen Court provides deliberates and renders a binding sentence communities with an opportunity to ensure for the offender. Sentencing may include What Are the Roles for Adult immediate consequences to youthful community service, papers, jury duty, Volunteers? offenders through a peer operated finding employment and curfews. The jury sentencing hearing that constructively cannot sentence any youth to a detention Judges (attorneys) preside over Teen allows the offender to take responsibility, be facility or jail. Court hearing sessions. Session held accountable, and make restitution for Coordinators contact all volunteers violating the law. Teen Court also allows What Are the Roles For Teen scheduled to participate to confirm their young people to participate in the decision- Volunteers? participation and register teens the night making process for dealing with juvenile of the hearings. Case Managers meet with the defendant and family delinquency, while gaining hands-on Teens participate by serving as defense immediately after sentencing and contact knowledge of the juvenile and criminal attorneys, prosecuting attorneys, clerks, the client weekly to check on their justice systems as they serve as attorneys, bailiffs, and jurors. Everyone is rotated progress. Attorney Coaches (attorneys) clerks, bailiffs, and jurors. through each position; however additional help teen attorneys prepare cases. training is required for teen attorneys.

How Does One Become a Teen What Are the Goals of Teen Court? Volunteer? How Does One Become an Adult Volunteer? The primary goal of Teen Court is to Teens interested in volunteering must be in intervene in early criminal behaviors to 8th-12th grade and in good academic standing Adults interested in volunteering with reduce incidents and prevent the escalation in school. A completed application and Teen Court need to contact the Teen of such behaviors. Teen Court teaches both teacher recommendation must be received Court Coordinator, attend a two-hour teen volunteers and the offenders about the no later than May 1st. Applicants must training, and complete a background laws that were broken, the consequences of interview with Teen Court staff. Teens are check. Family Court reserves the right the offense, and how due process is selected based on their application, teacher to refuse placement of any volunteer observed through court procedure. recommendation and interview. Teens who without an explanation. are selected must attend a two-day training before serving as a Teen Court volunteer.