PEER JUSTICE AND YOUTH EMPOWERMENT: AN IMPLEMENTATION GUIDE FOR TEEN COURT PROGRAMS

Abstract

The main objective of this Guide is to equip juvenile justice agencies with baseline information that will aid them in developing, implementing, and enhancing teen court programs as a viable alternative for juvenile offenders in their communities. Teen courts nationwide share many of the same fundamental principles. However, the manner in which they function in their day-to-day operations can vary significantly from program to program. Program organizers should be aware of the similarities and differences among programs and institute a development process to result in a program that responds to and fulfills the unique needs of the local youth, juvenile justice system, and community. This Guide is organized in the following chapters: (1) An Overview of the Teen Court Concept; (2) Organizing the Community; (3) Legal Issues for Teen Courts; (4) Developing a Program Purpose, Goals, and Objectives; (5) Determining a Target Population and Designing a Referral Process; (6) Designing Program Services; (7) Developing a Program Model and Procedures and Implementing Effective Case Management Practices; (8) Recruiting, Using, and Training Volunteers; (9) Examining Human and Financial Resource Issues; and (10) Program Evaluation. Appendices are as follows: (A) Teen Court Directory; (B) Sample Resources for Program Development and Implementation; (C) Sample Teen Court Program Brochures; (D) Sample Forms; (E) Sample Courtroom Protocol; (F) Sample Volunteer Resources; and (G) Sample Program Evaluation Resources.