Teen Court: A National Movement
The Major Models
The 1994 survey of teen courts by the American Probation and Parole Association (Godwin
1996) identified a peer jury model and three other models. The Peer Jury Model employs a
panel of teen jurors who question the offender directly. No defense or prosecuting
attorney is employed. The judge is usually an adult volunteer.
The most common of the teen court models is the Adult Judge ("Model A" in
Godwin), which employs an adult judge to rule on courtroom procedure and clarify legal
terminology, and youth volunteers as defense and prosecuting attorneys and jurors. Young
people may also serve as bailiff and clerk. The Youth Judge Model (Godwin's "Model
B") is similar to the Adult Judge Model, except in that a juvenile serves as judge,
usually after a length of service as a teen court attorney. Finally, the Tribunal Model
(Godwin's "Model C") has no peer jury. Instead, the prosecuting and defense
attorneys present cases to a juvenile judge(s) who determines the sentence.
>>What are teen courts?
>>The Growth of Teen Courts
>>The Major Models
>>Steps for Implementing a Teen Court
>>Teen Courts and Law-Related Education
>>Delinquency Prevention; The Educational Role
>>Training
>>Profile: Salt Lake City's Peer Court
>>Student Courts
>>How Do Lawyers, Judges, and the Bar Support Teen
Courts?
>>Profile: A Lawyer's Inside View of Teen Court
>>Profile: The Wyoming Bar and Teen Court
>>Evaluation
>>Funding
>>Conclusion and References
>>Resources and Additional Information
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