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"This is the most successful program we have in dealing with first-time minor offenses by juveniles," said Buffalo-Pepin County Circuit Court Judge Dane Morey.
The two-county teen court system got off the ground nearly five years ago, with the idea of having teens judge teens, and supported by Morey and cooperative extension services.
Teen Court provides a tool for the juvenile justice system to deal with minor offenses by having high school students judge their peers and select sentences.
"We feel this program serves as a positive prevention program for youth," said Lois Balk of Alma, teen court coordinator. "With the educational component and parent involvement, we feel that many of these first time offenders will change their negative behavior and not return to the court system."
The Teen Court is composed of a panel of high school students, four students chosen from each of the six school districts in Buffalo and Pepin counties. If a youth age 10 to 16 admits to a minor, first-time violation, the juvenile is given the opportunity to appear before a panel of teen court members from a school other than the one attended by the offender.
If the juvenile appears before the panel along with at least one parent, and successfully completes the consequences established by the teen court, the case is dismissed, Morey said.
Balk said teen court panelists are trained in leadership and asset building skills as well as effective means of communication. They learn court procedures and follow specific guidelines when questioning offenders, Balk said.
Since it functions as a "real" court, the panelists take an oath of confidentiality, she added. Buffalo-Pepin County Teen Court had its first case in August 2001, and saw its 100th case in December. Of those 100 offenders, 90 have successfully completed their sentencing guidelines, five are in the process of serving sentences, and only five failed and were returned to circuit court, according to Balk.
"These statistics prove that the program is extremely beneficial to both Buffalo and Pepin County," Balk said.
Cases heard by the Teen Court typically include relatively minor offenses that include disorderly conduct, shoplifting, trespassing, underage drinking, possession of tobacco, obstructing an officer, marijuana possession and violations cited by wardens and park rangers.
"It offers these first-time offenders an opportunity to receive a meaningful sentence from a panel of their peers, and an opportunity to take responsibility for their actions," Balk said. "It provides positive peer pressure with community based consequences."
Sentences vary and might include community service work, attending a drug awareness program, making a presentation before a class or group, or writing a report or apology letter. An offender might be asked to visit a local business to learn about job qualifications, spend more activity time with family members or keep a journal of events about their case.
"It gives them an opportunity for a real second chance to prove that mistakes can be turned into positive choices," Balk said.
Morey said juveniles that fail to comply with teen court recommendations are returned to court where a judgment and record is entered against them.
The program has not only shown success for offenders, but it's been successful in developing strong leadership skills among the youth panel leaders, Balk said.
"These youth have gained a sense of responsibility as they encourage their peer offenders to stop behaviors that reflect on all teens," Balk said.
