TEEN COURT IN THE SCHOOLS

WHAT IS TEEN COURT IN SCHOOLS?

Teen Court in the Schools (TCIS) is an alternative way of disciplining students who have admitted to committing a school-related offense.

Just like in Teen Court, with TCIS a student is judged by a jury of his or her peers. All of the participants in the courtroom are students at the school (peers), except for the judge. Some of the roles students fill are court clerk, bailiff, defense and prosecution attorneys, and jury members.

One of the goals of TCIS is to replace punitive sentences (i.e. out-of-school suspension, in-school suspension, or detention) with positive or constructive sentences. This emphasis on the use of constructive sentences is more beneficial in changing the student's behavior.

Because the student has already admitted guilt, TCIS is only a sentencing trial. It is NOT a guilt vs. innocence trial.

Teen Court is a voluntary option for the offending student. The school disciplinarian offers the option to a student if he/she feels it will benefit the student. No one is forced to participate in the program.

How does Teen Court in the Schools work?

The Teen Court in the Schools program is usually taught as a class and is offered to the students as an elective. A teacher from the school is recruited to teach the Teen Court class. 

A Teen Court in the Schools curriculum is available to all schools as a resource text for the classroom coordinators. This curriculum offers guidelines for educating and training student attorneys. 

Students are trained for 9-12 weeks before cases are heard.

Typically, cases are heard on Thursdays and/or Fridays or on long class days. Cases last about 30 minutes. The remaining class days are reserved for case preparation and law-related education.

The student is aware that the jury must give a mandatory sentence (as deemed appropriate by each school's administration), as well as any other appropriate sentence. The student must complete all constructive sentences assigned. If the student does not successfully complete his/her sentences, the case will be returned to the school disciplinarian. 

Technical assistance from Pima County Teen Court is offered to all schools. All services provided by Pima County Teen Court (a program of YWCA Southern Arizona) are grant-funded.



What Types of Offenses does Teen Court in the Schools Handle?

• The types of offenses referred to TCIS vary from school to school. However, the offenses often include:
• Truancy, chronic tardiness 
• Dress code violations 
• General misconduct in school or on the school bus 
• Cheating on exams / schoolwork 
• Reckless endangerment 
• Use of profane / abusive language 
• Possession of offensive material 
• Plagiarism 
• Petty larceny and/or possession of stolen property 
• Altering official documents 
• Graffiti / damaging school property 
• Excessive library fines 
• Any other offenses deemed appropriate by school administrators 

What Sentences are Given in Teen Court in the Schools?

Possible constructive sentences can include:

• A letter of apology to the teacher who wrote the referral or to a victim. 
• Jury duty, in order for the defendant to participate in the hearings in a more positive position and to reinforce the concept of accountability to the community. 
• Have the student write an essay on a subject related to their offense. 
• Referral to peer mediation, if available at the school. 
• Community Service (i.e. general lunch clean-up, cleaning up school grounds, etc.) 
• Assign the student to help a counselor or a teacher for a certain length of time. 
• Attend a certain number of tutoring sessions within the school or at the local public library.

How can I Start a Teen Court at my School?

• Talk to administrators, faculty, and students at your school about Teen Court. 
• Determine if they would like to know more about Teen Court and how to implement it at your school.

Contact Kate Spaulding at Pima County Teen Court, 520-332-2911 or kspaulding@ywcatucson.org