Barron County Teen Court

Peer Pressure Applied for Positive Results

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About Teen Court

The mission of Restorative Justice Teen Court is to help juvenile offenders restore their relationships with the community through alternative methods of adjudicating minor juvenile offenses, including programs that teach responsibility and positive decision making and restore a sense of safety in the community.

Barron County Restorative Justice Teen Court is based on the philosophy that a youthful law violator does not continue to be an offender when a peer jury decides punishment. It will provide a way for first offenders to keep their records clean. The program focuses on youth accountability and development. Teen Court is designed to interrupt patterns of criminal behavior by promoting positive feelings of self-esteem, motivating self-improvement, and developing a healthy attitude toward authority.

How Does The Teen Court Work?

Respondent participation in this program is voluntary and requires an advance guilty plea. The program will be available to juvenile offenders from 12 to 18 years of age, and still in school. Respondents must have parental or guardian consent and participation.

In Teen Court, the Judge introduces the respondent to teenage peer jurors who are informed of the charge against the respondent. After hearing the evidence presented by a teenage prosecutor and defense attorney, the jury considers the appropriate sanctions for the offense. The decision is reviewed by the judge and read to the respondent.

• Eligible offenses for Teen Court include:
  Minor traffic violations
  Misdemeanors such as public intoxication, theft, retail theft, property damage, vandalism, disorderly conduct
  Possession of alcohol, or small amounts of marijuana
  Simple assault
  Trespassing
  Curfew
  Others
  

Teen Court sanctions are designed to fit the offense and involve restitution, community service, and prevention education.

• A typical sanction could be any of the following:
  Basic Family Communication Seminar (Successful Families - "Parent Teen Workshop")
  Victim Offender Conference (apology)
  Teen Court jury duty
  Community service
  Research paper
  Prevention or education program (Youth Educational Shoplifting Program) (Prime for Life Under 21) (Victim Impact Panel)
  Tutoring
  Restitution
  Other
  

Who Serves On The Teen Jury?

When the adult court model is used the clerks, bailiffs, panelists, and jurors will be Barron County high school volunteers. They will receive instruction and guidance from local attorneys, who will also take the role of judge. When the panel court model is used the panelists will also be Barron County high school volunteers. Contact Barron County Restorative Justice Programs, Inc. if you are interested in helping to make a difference in the juvenile justice system.

Why Do We Need A Teen Court?

Teen Court is designed to provide a community based alternative to the formal court process. It represents a more positive and effective alternative to the juvenile justice system, and focuses on youth development and accountability.

Young offenders learn to take responsibility for their actions. The program represents a way for juveniles to keep their records clean and learn from their mistakes. Juvenile cases addressed by these courts will be handled on a timely basis and free up time and funds for the Circuit Court system to handle more serious cases.