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Waukesha County Teen Court It is the mission of the Waukesha County Teen Court to help juvenile offenders restore their relationships with community through alternative methods of adjudicating minor juvenile offenses, which teach responsibility, positive decision making, and restoring safety in the community. The program will be available to juvenile offenders from 12 to 16 years of age and who are still in school. Respondents must have parental or guardian consent to participate. 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 appropriate sanctions for the offense. Eligible offenses include: traffic violations, possession of alcohol and small amounts of marijuana, simple assault, trespassing and others. A special sanction imposed may consist of some or all of the following: family group conferencing, counseling, apology letters, community service, restitution and others. In addition, victims will be involved. They will be able to give the Teen Court input; they may attend Teen Court, and will be able to learn of sanctions imposed upon the offenders. This will help them in their healing process. Finally, the community is involved. The community will have the benefits of community service and less juvenile crime. Community members may also participate in the process and develop an increased awareness of the justice system. You may contact the Mediation and Restorative Justice Center to learn more about the Waukesha County Teen Court. |
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