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CANYON CORRIDOR CONNECTION
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T
EEN COURT IS A DIVERSION PROGRAM run by the Juvenile
Probation office for the Maricopa County Superior Court. It is
based on restorative justice rather than punitive justice in hopes
of diverting the teenager’s behavior.
When a youth commits a misdemeanor crime for the first time, he can
plead guilty and the court may offer him the opportunity to be sentenced
by the judge or by a jury of his peers in Teen Court.
At a Teen Court hearing, the jury listens to the harm done to the victim
and community, listens to the defendant and imposes a consequence that
will promote healing and attempt to repair the damage caused by the
offense. There are three elements of restorative justice: the defendant, the
victim and the community.
Here’s how each side will be able to achieve restorative justice when the
Teen Court holds a hearing:
How are victim and community restored?
• The defendant is told how the offense affected the victim and the
community.
• The jury explains how the harm can be repaired.
This helps the victim and the community regain a sense of safety,
bringing healing and closure to the incident.
What are the benefits of Teen Court for the defendant?
• The defendant is shown the harm caused to the victims. This allows
them to become aware of the effects of their actions and to be held
accountable.
• The defendant is offered an opportunity to repair the harm and/
or make amends for their actions by working in the community to
help repair damages.
• The defendant’s skills, competencies and ties to the community are
increased, giving them opportunities to make better decisions, choose
better friends, avoid negative peer pressure, etc.
As a teen, Teen Court is a creative way for you to participate in the
justice system. It provides a courtroom atmosphere in which you can
participate in a variety of roles, hear the circumstances involved in a
violation that has occurred at school or in the community and determine
an appropriate, constructive sentence using established guidelines.
What makes Teen Court different than regular court?
• Teen Court does not determine “guilt” in any case. The defendant
must admit responsibility to go in front of Teen Court.
• Teen Courts are VERY successful – at least 94% of the defendants that
come through Teen Court will NOT commit another offense!
• Teen Courts (as well as other courts) use a concept called
RESTORATIVE JUSTICE. It allows the juvenile involved in an
offense the opportunity to restore to the community what was taken.
• The court system saves both time and money by supporting
Teen Court.
• By empowering teens to be involved in
the judicial process, youth that go to Teen
Court are truly judged by a jury of their peers.
How is Teen Court like regular court?
• Teen Court is serious, impartial and confidential.
• In Teen Court, all proceedings MUST be kept confidential.
In addition to the oath you sign on your registration form, there is an
oath given to all court members at the beginning of each case to remind
both you and the defendant that it’s OK to be honest because their case
won’t be discussed outside of Teen Court.
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Teen Court: Restorative
Justice for Teens
Why Should I Get Involved in Teen Court?
Here’s a list of reasons you and your friends SHOULD
be in Teen Court!
• You can demonstrate positive peer pressure on the defendants.
• It can count as community service hours your school may require
for graduation.
• You will learn about how the judicial system works.
• You get the opportunity to improve your public speaking, debating
and interviewing skills.
• You may get to meet interesting people such as public defenders,
county attorneys, probation officers and judges.
• If you have an interest in being a lawyer or judge, this is a
GREAT way to find out if it’s for you! You get experience in the
judicial system.
• Teen Court looks GREAT on college, scholarship, and job applications.
• You’ll hear about other great youth programs that you
can participate in.
• And finally, you WILL be making the community a better place!
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