Requirements for Teen Court Volunteers

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Requirements for Teen Court Volunteers Office of the State Attorney Attention: Teen Court 2825 Judge Fran Jamieson Way, Bldg. D Viera, FL 32940 Phone: (321) 617-7510 ext 57651 Clarissa Harrell Assistant State Attorney Juvenile Division Chief Must be between the ages of 13 and 17 Lisa Gomez Parsons Teen Court Coordinator Be a student in good academic standing [email protected] Darrin Adams Demonstrate maturity and sensitivity Teen Court Coordinator [email protected] Abide by the Dress Code Policy Abide by the “Oath of Confidentiality” Office hours: Monday thru Friday 8 AM - 5 PM BENEFITS OF TEEN COURT: GAIN COMMUNITY SERVICE HOURS Teen Court is an innovative program which allows first-time juvenile offenders, who have committed a misdemeanor crime, to attend a Teen Court sentencing hearing instead of being prosecuted through the NETWORK WITH STATE AND LOCAL formal Juvenile Court System. What makes this program unique is that everyone in the courtroom, except the judge, are teens! Students get to participate in the roles of the attorneys, court deputy, clerk GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS and jurors. This program is an example of how positive peer pressure can assist in correcting unlawful behavior. Brevard County Teen Court began in 1996 and in June of 1999, it was featured on America’s LOOKS GREAT ON RESUME OR APPLICATION Most Wanted as a model example for other teen court programs. RECEIVE LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION PROSECUTING ATTORNEY JURY MEMBER A prosecuting attorney has the responsibility to Jury duty is a privilege and a serious PRACTICE PROFESSIONALISM FOR seek justice and a sentence based on the responsibility. They are required to base their severity of the offense committed. They will verdict on the evidence presented in court. The YOUR FUTURE CAREER prepare a case, give an opening statement, sentence should be designed to hold the question the defendant, and give a closing defendants responsible for their actions. Jurors argument to the jury providing reasons for their must be able to treat each case individually and DEVELOP STRONG INTERPERSONAL SKILLS recommended sentence. without prejudice. They must also perform honestly, without fear or favor. DEFENSE ATTORNEY MAKE A MEANINGFUL DIFFERENCE COURT DEPUTY A defense attorney represents the client. They IN YOUR COMMUNITY!! will prepare a case, give an opening statement, The primary duties are to assist the judge and question the defendant, object to any maintain order in the courtroom at all times. questioning by the prosecuting attorney and They will also escort the jury to and from the present a closing argument. deliberation room. “I’ve volunteered with other places For an application, dress code, and schedule, COURT CLERK please visit our website: before... nothing compares to the The clerk is responsible for recording the action hands-on experience you get with www.sa18.org taken by the court. They also swear in the Teen Court!” (Go to Employment/Volunteer/Teen Court) defendant and the jury panel. -Jessica, age 15 BREVARD COUNTY TEEN COURT .

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Become a Teen Court Volunteer!
Become a Teen Court Volunteer! Collier County Teen Court Collier County Courthouse 3315 Tamiami Trail East Suite 506 Naples, Florida 34112 Tel: (239) 252-2756 Fax: (239) 774-9654 Email: [email protected] Welcome to Teen Court! Imagine walking into a courtroom where the Defendant, the Attorneys, the Court Clerk, the Bailiff, and the Jurors are all under the age of 19. Is this a Mock Trial? No, this is Teen Court also known as Youth Court or Peer Court. Florida’s first Teen Court was implemented in 1988 in Sarasota County. The program serves as a community-based alternative to the traditional juvenile court system and works in conjunction with the offices of the State Attorney, Court Administration, Department of Juvenile Justice and law enforcement agencies. The volunteer contribution made by local judges, attorneys and teens provides a cost effective early intervention program that saves our community thousands of dollars annually. Teen Court is based upon the philosophy that a youthful violator is less likely to re- offend when a peer jury decides punishment. It is hoped that Teen Court will interrupt developing patterns of criminal behavior by promoting a feeling of self- esteem, motivation for self-improvement and development of a healthy attitude toward authority. For the offender as well as the non-offender who serves on the jury, Teen Court challenges youth to perform at their highest level of ability and places a high priority on educating young people regarding the responsibilities of an individual, family member, and citizen. All participants are introduced to the positive benefits of community service, public speaking and positive role models.
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Chapter 1 an Overview of the Teen Court Concept
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What Is Teen Court ?
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TEEN COURT RULES and PROCEDURES (As of July 27, 2017)
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Reproductions Supplied by EDRS Are the Best That Can Be Made from the Original Document. I I I 'I '
DOCUMENT RESUME ED 461 061 CG 027 822 AUTHOR Godwin, Tracy M. TITLE Peer Justice and Youth Empowerment: An Implementation Guide for Teen Court Programs. INSTITUTION National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (DOT), Washington, D. C.; Council of State Governments, Lexington, KY.; Department of Justice, Washington, DC. Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention.; American Probation and Parole Association, Lexington, KY. PUB DATE 1996-00-00 NOTE 291p.; Produced with Daid J. Steinhart and Betsy A. Fulton. CONTRACT DTNH22-94-Z-05212 PUB TYPE Guides Non-Classroom (055) Tests/Questionnaires (160) EDRS PRICE MF01/PC12 Plus Postage. DESCRIPTORS Adolescents; Delinquency; *Delinquent Rehabilitation; Empowerment; *Juvenile Courts; *Juvenile Justice; Peer Influence; Program Descriptions; Program Development; Program Evaluation; Secondary Education; Volunteers; Youth Problems ABSTRACT Growing evidence indicates that teen courts give a community's children and adults a practical response to the problems associated with delinquency, traffic safety, and substance abuse. Developing and implementing teen courts requires a collaborative effort and juvenile justice agencies need baseline information that will aid them in creating teen court programs as viable alternatives for juvenile offenders. A description of the teen court program, along with baseline information, are provided in this guide. The text examines the teen court concept in depth, giving a history of its effectiveness. No particular program model is endorsed, but examples and descriptions are provided to illustrate the variety of ways teen court programs operate. Detailed information is given on organizing the community, developing a program purpose and goals, designing program services, developing a program model, recruiting and training volunteers, as well as program evaluation and on legal issues.
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