Volunteering with Restorative Teen Court
You may have heard about Restorative Teen Court through a friend or heard about a club at your school. Most volunteers join our work by hearing about Teen Court from others. A number of volunteers come as a result of being an offender in the program and choose to stay on to help others.
Volunteers will be able to participate in Restorative Teen Court in roles of Clerk, Panelist or Jury for the purpose of assessing fair sanctions to a respondent who has admitted guilt to an ordinance violation or minor crime.
Volunteers help others to help themselves.
After reading through the other Teen Court pages on this website, if you have further questions you can contact Trina Woiak, the Youth Programs Coordinator. If you choose to sign up as a new volunteer, go to the volunteer application form. We will then contact you and you will find out about upcoming trainings, club meetings and Teen Court sessions where you can learn more.
Youth volunteers that do take part in sessions are expected to live up to the following standards.
Restorative Teen Court Volunteer Expectations
In order to participate volunteers must:
- Be in grades 8-12
- Keep the Oath of Confidentiality. This is a commitment to not discuss a case with anyone outside the Restorative Teen Court session times and locations.
- Dress for court in professional attire – no hats, shorts, torn clothing, or sweatpants.
- Behave in a mature, professional and responsible manner. No profanity, gum chewing or food/soda allowed in the courtroom. No drug/alcohol use in the building or on the grounds.
- Refrain from negative comments regarding other volunteers or participants. Do not discuss your personal opinion of the charge or of the outcome of the case with other participants outside the session time, including respondents and parents, other than to wish them luck. Appropriate conversation is expected throughout the court house building.
- Be willing to work as part of a team. Be willing to serve in other roles if you do not get the role that you want at that session. The roles vary with each session. All roles are important and make the program successful. Over time you will have chances to experience each role that you are interested in.
Volunteers start as jurors, and when they are trained and feel comfortable, they may then serve as a clerk or panelist.
Volunteering Benefits:
- Allows you to give back to the teen community, and serve the broader community.
- Gives you a place to perform community service hours.
- Provides a place to practice leadership and civic skills with professionals in the field.
- Builds a foundation for applying restorative justice in all aspects of social life.
- Adds a strong component to your resume.
