Teen Court

2020-2021 Teen Court Sessions

Teen Court Photos

How Did Teen Court Begin?
Teen Court was first conceived and established in 1983 by the Junior League of Odessa, Texas, and the city of Odessa. Its purposes were to provide a more positive and effective alternative to an increasingly inadequate and ineffective juvenile justice system and to help combat the growing epidemic of juvenile crime and violence within the community. Teen Court spread to Florida in 1991 when Manatee County first implemented the program. Highlands County's very own Teen Court was started in 1996 by the Honorable L.E. "Luke" Brooker, Clerk of Court, with the cooperation and encouragement of the Tenth Judicial Circuit State Attorney's office, local bar association, local law enforcement, Department of Juvenile Justice, Highlands County School Board, and resident Chief Judge of Tenth Circuit, the Honorable J. David Langford.

Why a Teen Court?
Teen Court was established to add a new concept of diversion and accountability to the juvenile justice system. It is a sentencing hearing directed toward juvenile misdemeanor and select felony offenders who have admitted guilt to a charge. To qualify for participation in Teen Court, certain criteria must be met. Teenage volunteers serve as clerk, bailiff, jurors and attorneys to present the case to the court. The presiding judge is the only adult participating in the Teen Court hearing.

The Purpose of Teen Court
The purpose of Teen Court, aside from sentencing, is to educate and motivate both defendants and student participants while promoting better communication between schools, attorneys, defendants, the court, law enforcement and the public.

The Objectives of Teen Court
The objectives of Teen Court are to provide the justice system with an alternative to the traditional handling of a juvenile delinquency charge. Teen Court serves as a diversionary program to interrupt the beginning criminal behavior in the juvenile and to assist the offender in recognizing that they are responsible for their behavior. Teen Court also helps in relieving the over-burdened court docket in juvenile court.

Program Advantages
For the delinquent teenager, the advantages of participating in Teen Court are many. Some of these include; voluntary participation, a diversion from appearing in the Juvenile Circuit Court, exposure to positive peer pressure and behavior, and a speedy resolution to their case. The delinquent teenager is educated in the judicial justice process: through education comes understanding, and with understanding comes respect. The teen defendant may return as a volunteer in Teen Court after successfully completing their sentence.

For the Teen Court volunteer, the program offers hands-on educational experience with the judicial process and involvement with community service. The rules governing courtroom conduct require respect for our laws and each other.

Teen Court Criteria
It is hereby approved and accepted this the 23rd day of February, 2017 that the following charges may be directly diverted to the Highlands County Teen Court Diversionary Program upon approval by the State Attorney:

Selected first and second offense misdemeanor charges - Selected first offense felony charges to wit:

Battery	Disorderly Conduct
Domestic Battery (No Parent or Guardian)	Failure to Pay Smoking Citation
Disorderly Intoxication	Criminal Mischief
Loitering and Prowling	Possession of Alcohol
Possession of a Controlled Substance	Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
Possession of Marijuana	Petit Theft
Resisting Merchant	Trespass
Trespass on School Grounds After Warning	Trespass Construction Site
Trespass Structure/Conveyance After Warning	Trespass Occupied Structure
Felony Criminal Mischief	Harassing Communications
Resisting Arrest without Violence/Giving False Name	Harassing Phone Calls
Obscene Phone Calls	Disturbing School Function
Failure to Pay Game & Fish Citation Fines	Sale of Alcohol to a Minor
Theft of a Credit Card	Possession of a Stolen Credit Card
Fraudulent Use of a Credit Card	Forgery (Victim being Parent)
Uttering a Forged Instrument (under $150.00)	Possession of Counterfeit ID
Possession of a BB Gun by a Minor	Possession of a Pellet Gun by a Minor
No Valid DL	Attempted Flee and Elude Police Officer
Affray	Disturb School Function
Interfere with School Administration	Grand Theft/Grand Theft Auto (No Violence)

Teen Court defendants must be at least 11 years old but no more than 17 years old. Teen Court defendants must be enrolled in school or in a GED program in Highlands County. Teen Court defendants are allowed one or two successful diversion cases prior to their case being referred to the Teen Court, if applicable. Cases with restitution owing will be accepted upon approval of the victim and the State Attorney. The Teen Court Director will be responsible for preparing the "Order of Restitution" following the imposition of the Teen Court sanctions. Victims of crimes must be in agreement with Teen Court diversion or the case will not be eligible for Teen Court. The State Attorney may use their own discretion in referring to the Teen Court, juvenile offenders who may not meet the criteria listed above or cases that may not meet the criteria listed above. The Highlands County Teen Court will accept referrals from School Officials, County Judges, and Circuit Judges. The Highlands County Teen Court also accepts Civil Citations from School Officials and Law Enforcement.

Rules Governing Courtroom Conduct

It is a privilege to serve in and use our courthouse and courtrooms. Please show your respect by following the court rules.

No gum, hats, sunglasses, shorts, beepers, or cell phones.
Do not put your feet on the furniture. Sit up straight and listen.
Once court begins there is to be no talking and you are to remain in your seats. Please do not leave or enter the courtroom until a recess has been called.
Once a recess has been called you may leave the courtroom, but do not leave the courtroom security area.
Do not discuss the cases after deliberation with anyone!
Respect Oath of Confidentiality and abide by it.
Be on time for your case.

Confidentiality Oath

Respect for the confidentiality of Teen Court proceedings and participants is demanded of all volunteers and cannot be overstated. The business of appearing in any court is a personal matter. All aspects of a Teen Court session should be considered confidential. The Oath of Confidentiality is required to be taken at the beginning of each Teen Court session by all in attendance:

Failure to respect this Oath can result in dismissal from participation in the program.