Holmes County Teen Court, Inc. is a non-profit organization committed to providing the youth of Holmes County with an alternative to the regular Juvenile Court system. It is a voluntary program for first time offenders of misdemeanor crimes. Youth, ages 10-17, from throughout Holmes County are referred to Teen Court by school administrators, law enforcement officers, school resource officers, parents, the State Attorney’s Office, the Department of Juvenile Justice, or the Judge hearing juvenile cases. In order to enter the program, the juvenile must admit guilt to the offense. The youth and parent/guardian sign a “Waiver of Speedy Trial” and participate in a pretrial interview, before the juvenile stands “trial” before a jury of his/her peers. Parent/guardian participation is mandatory.
Once in trial, the juvenile is represented, examined, and cross-examined by trained student attorneys who serve as the defense attorneys and prosecutors. Trained students also volunteer as clerks, bailiffs, and jurors. The presiding judge is a local attorney. The Teen Court jury deliberates on what sanctions are appropriate for the offense and returns with the verdict, which is then published out loud to the court by the student clerk. The offender and parent/guardian immediately meet with the Teen Court Director to explain sanctions, provide timelines, and sign the contract. All defendants have 60 days to complete the sanctions imposed by their peers. Mandatory sanctions for all defendants include a minimum of twenty hours of community service, jury duty, and a jail tour. In addition, all defendants guilty of a first degree misdemeanor must participate in a Boot Camp style jail tour. Additional sanctions include additional hours of community service, counseling, curfew, essays relevant to the offense, restitution, apology letters, suspension of driver’s license, house arrest, no association with co-defendants or victims, law-related education classes, random drug testing, etc.
Teen Court is a diversion program that promotes accountability, responsibility, and self worth. In addition to providing positive peer pressure for defendants, it provides meaningful sanctions, teaches the youth about the justice system and allows law-abiding youth to help mentor their peers in a positive manner. By promoting self-improvement, self worth, and a more positive attitude toward authority and the juvenile justice system, Teen Court can be the turning point for at-risk youth.
Holmes County Teen Court has a Board of Directors that evaluates the program’s effectiveness and is responsible for acquiring funding for the program. Teen Court is a community-based program and relies heavily on volunteers and community support.
Teen Court is operational weekdays from 8:00a.m.– 4:30p.m. Court sessions, training, jail tours, community service and other events are held after school and on Saturdays throughout the year.
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