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Community resources for families and youth

FCS Programs

Teen Court

A diversion program that holds juveniles accountable for their actions by providing a traditional court hearing with trained youth volunteers.

Mission

Established to provide a diversion program that holds first-time juvenile offenders accountable for their actions, while reducing the caseload of local courts and probation officers.

Benefits

  • Provides education, training, and “hands-on” participation for youth volunteers which compliments their formal education and promotes respect for the rule of law.
  • Holds the juveniles accountable for their actions while reducing the caseload of local courts and probation officers.
  • Increased appreciation for the legal system by both offenders and volunteers.
  • A jury of peers decides an appropriate and constructive disposition for the juvenile consisting of a combination of community service, restitution, verbal/written apologies, essays, educational opportunities, and future Teen Court jury service.
  • Wells County students (grades 6 – 12) receive training and serve as clerk, bailiff, jury, prosecuting attorney, and defense attorney for Teen Court hearings.
  • The process takes advantage of one of the most powerful forces in the life of an adolescent – the desire for peer approval and the reaction to peer pressure.
  • Local adult attorneys volunteer their time to serve as Teen Court judge.
  • Teen Court volunteers not only learn how the justice system works from a hands-on perspective, they also help make the community a better place by actively responding to juvenile crime!

Download An Application

Volunteer Application (PDF)
To learn about youth courts around the United States, visit the National Youth Court Center at www.youthcourt.net.

Program Contact

If you or someone you know is interested in participating in the program, please contact the Program Coordinator below:
Courtney Ginter

Teen Court has helped over 500 youth to stay out of the formal juvenile justice system since 1998.

Community resources for families and youth

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Healthy Families America (HFA)United Way of Wells County
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