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RESTORING YOUTH FOR THE FUTURE
The Youth Court program is
a voluntary alternative to the criminal justice system that strives to
intervene in early anti-social, delinquent, and criminal
behavior, as well as substance abuse, in order to reduce the incidence and to prevent the escalation
of such behavior.
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Youth Court promotes feelings of self-esteem.
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Promotes desire for self-improvement.
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Fosters a healthy attitude toward rules and authority.
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Strives to reduce alcohol and drug use among its juvenile offenders
and Youth Court members who are at high to moderate risk through
universal and selective prevention intervention.
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Youth Court is designed to reduce repeat
incidents of juvenile crime, require youth to accept
responsibility for their actions and help them realize they
will be held accountable for such
behavior, educate youth on the impact of their actions on others
(victims, community, etc.), divert offending youth from the juvenile
justice system, and provide an alternative to the Family Court process.
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Youth Court deters further contact with police, builds competencies
in youth by providing instructions on how the legal system functions and
how to communicate and resolve problems with peers more effectively, and
provides a meaningful forum for youth to practice and enhance newly
developed skills.
By participating in Youth Court, the
youthful offender is given a more immediate and meaningful sentence than
the traditional juvenile justice system. Youth Court is based on the
premise that young people want to make the right decisions.
Generally, youth who are referred to Youth Court are first-time,
non-violent offenders arrested for violations or misdemeanors, between the
ages of 10 and 18.
Youth Courts have a success rate of 80 percent
completion or better. Typically youthful offenders successfully complete
their Youth Court sentence and the recidivism rate is very low for those
who have been through Youth Courts. We invite students in the Warren
County area to become members of the Youth Court. Students in grades 9-11
can take on a role as a judge, bailiff, prosecuting attorney, defending
attorney, or jury foreperson in a rotating fashion. Youth Court members
must complete a twelve-hour training course in order to take on any of
these roles. Students in grades 7-11 may volunteer to be a juror for a
case and are recommended to attend the first training but are not required
to go through training. Youth Court is strictly a sentencing court.
Youthful offenders will accept responsibility for what they have done when
accepting the terms of this program.
Youth Court educates the
members who operate it, by providing them with a better understanding of
the laws and how the criminal justice system works. These members gain
enhanced public speaking skills and debate techniques, while providing an
important service to their peers and their community.
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