Teen Court

As teens, it is often difficult to fully comprehend the idea of pure justice. Many of us see and hear stories on the news about highschool students who have been convicted of a minor crime and are shocked at the punishment. As part of the younger generation, it is common to disagree with many decisions that are made by adults. But, what if you could make these decisions? What if you had the chance to deliver pure, genuine justice to a teen who has made a mistake that they are willing to fix? Teen Court, a student powered law organization, places the power in the teenagers’ hands. Teens can make the decision, state their opinion and help someone get their life back on track.  Teen Court functions as an actual court for young people who commit non-serious crimes such as drug and alcohol related crimes, in which they are questioned, judged and sentenced by a jury of their peers. Teen court Coordinator Carl Hobkirk believes that Teen Court is a beneficial way for students to take a glimpse into the harsh reality and darker side of teen’s lives. Multiple interesting cases come in and out from Teen court that open student’s eyes to things they would never believe.  “One of the real benefits for teen court is for our students to see the effects of bad choices and the effects it has on the defendant’s parents. It brings home the reality of the choices we make and it’s very powerful,” Hobkirk said.  Teen Court provides an alternative to Juvenile Court, and is based on the philosophy that a young person who engages in criminal activity for the first time should have the opportunity to correct his or her behavior with support from the justice system, in the hope that the offender wil not repeat their actions in the future. Teen Court jurors are selected from the high school’s student body, through a process of application and interview.  Teen Court offers the young person who is found guilty the opportunity to complete required community service work, and upon successful completion of his or her sentence within six months, to have no record of a criminal conviction. Further, Teen Court prevents the emotional and reputational harm caused to a young person by unnecessary involvement in the juvenile justice system.  For the students who participate as jurors, clerks and bailiffs, Teen Court offers valuable lessons about how courts operate and what it is like to be a part of the justice system. Many Teen Court jurors later express an interest in studying law. The Court and the public benefit from Teen Court because it enables the juvenile justice system to focus its resources on higher risk offenders. Additionally, the Court currently operates 38 Teen Courts in high schools throughout Los Angeles County. Over 70 judicial officers preside over Teen Courts, and typically hear trials on one to two afternoons each month. This opportunity is great for students to get involved and get a sneak peak into the legal system process. Not only are they getting a better understanding of how decisions are made, but students have the opportunity to make a positive impact on a teenager’s life by granting them a second chance and a nudge onto a higher path.