The Teen Court Process

The court process is based on traditional courtroom procedures, but in Teen Court, the Teen Jury does not decide guilt or innocence. Instead, they decide what the defendant’s sentence will be. The sentence comes in the form of community service, Peer Circle sessions (group classes and discussions) and jury duties where the current defendant must return as a juror for other cases. The defendant and his or her family then sign a contract detailing the youth’s responsibilities in order to continue with the program. After appearing in court, the youth works toward completing his or her sentence and staying drug-free and crime-free. Because the youth signs a contract when he or she accepts the sentence after court night, a breach of that contract means that Teen Court will decline the case (send or return the case to Juvenile or Traffic Court).

INTAKE

Teen Court accepts cases from the Sarasota County Sheriff’s office, the Department of Juvenile Justice, Juvenile Court, Traffic Court, and area schools. The juvenile and family are contacted by Teen Court and undergo an initial interview. If the juvenile admits guilt and takes responsibility for his or her crime, the case may be accepted. Once a case is accepted into the program, the juvenile becomes a defendant.

COURT NIGHT

The defendant and his or her family appear in a Sarasota County courthouse in either Sarasota or Venice for the case to be presented before a judge and jury. The judge in Teen Court is an adult from the law community – a lawyer, judge, or law enforcement officer. The jury in Teen Court consists of juveniles – both former defendants and volunteers.

One or more Teen Attorney(s) interview the defendant and act as his or her defense attorneys. The defense attorneys represent the defendant and aim to show the redeeming qualities of the case to the jury. The other side in the process consists of attorney(s) who represent the State of Florida. They are called prosecuting attorneys.

The Teen Clerk introduces the case to everyone in the courtroom. The defense attorneys and prosecuting attorneys each give an opening statement or an overview of what took place in the defendant’s case. The defendant is then sworn in and is asked questions by both sets of teen attorneys – a process known as examination and cross-examination. Each side then gives a closing statement which often includes a summary of the case and a recommendation by the attorneys of what they think the sentence should be.

The Teen Jury is then escorted to another room by the Teen Bailiff where they deliberate (discuss the case) and decide what the verdict (constructive sentence) should be. The verdict is read by the Teen Clerk in the courtroom in front of the defendant and family.

Next, the juvenile and family decide whether or not they would like to continue with the program. If so, they sign a contract detailing the youth’s responsibilities with the program. If not, the case is sent/returned to Juvenile Court and Teen Court’s involvement with the juvenile ends.

COMPLETION

Successfully completing Teen Court means serving the constructive sentence outlined in a youth’s contract. The dismissal of the charge that results from finishing the program is a great benefit to the youth, and in exchange for that benefit, Teen Court expects that each youth be honest throughout the court process and follow all household and Teen Court rules.