teen court | Definition

Teen court is a diversion program that allows juvenile offenders to be tried by their peers in a court of law, typically for minor offenses.

Teen court is a diversion program that allows juvenile offenders to be tried by their peers in a court of law. The program is designed to provide an alternative to traditional juvenile justice systems, which may be harsh and punitive.

In teen court, a group of volunteer high school students serves as the jury and judge, with adult court personnel serving as mentors and advisors. The juvenile offender is required to admit guilt and is then sentenced by the teen court to community service, educational programs, or other forms of rehabilitation.

The goal of teen court is to provide juvenile offenders with a second chance while also holding them accountable for their actions. The program is designed to be educational and restorative rather than punitive, with the aim of helping young people learn from their mistakes and avoid future involvement in the justice system.

Teen court has been found to be an effective diversion program for juvenile offenders. Studies have shown that participants in teen court are less likely to reoffend than those who go through traditional juvenile justice systems. The program has also been found to be cost-effective, as it requires fewer resources than traditional juvenile justice systems.