Volunteers for YouthTeen Court
Our teen court program gives youth who have committed a minor offense an opportunity to take responsibility for their actions through an alternative court program.
Youth who have admitted responsibility for a low level offense and are referred to Teen Court · Teen Court sessions are generally held one Monday a month for Orange County and one Thursday a month for Chatham County. Teen Court starts promptly at 6:00 PM.
From volunteersforyouth.org/our-programs/teen-court ↗About this program
Through Volunteers for Youth's Teen Court program, adolescents and teens come together in a courtroom setting to determine consequences for peers who have gotten into trouble.
After admitting responsibility for a low level offense, youth aged eleven to eighteen may be referred to Teen Court by law enforcement officials, judges, or court counselors. Participation in Teen Court is voluntary and confidential.
Teen Court is staffed by trained youth volunteers who serve in various capacities within the program, acting in the roles of attorneys, clerks, bailiffs, and jurors. An adult volunteer serves as the judge presiding over court proceedings. As in traditional court, the volunteer attorneys present the facts of the case to the court, and the peer jury is responsible for rendering a constructive sentence. All sentences include jury duty service and community service, and may also include additional requirements such as apology letters, online classes, and other restorative sanctions.
Questions
Who can refer a youth to Teen Court?
Law enforcement officials, judges, or court counselors.
Is participation in Teen Court voluntary?
Participation in Teen Court is voluntary and confidential.
What do all Teen Court sentences include?
All sentences include jury duty service and community service, and may also include additional requirements such as apology letters, online classes, and other restorative sanctions.
Is this a tentative schedule?
This is a tentative schedule. Participants and volunteers will receive confirmation emails prior to each scheduled date.
Details
- Who
- Youth who have admitted responsibility for a low level offense and are referred to Teen Court
- When
- Teen Court sessions are generally held one Monday a month for Orange County and one Thursday a month for Chatham County. Teen Court starts promptly at 6:00 PM.
- Where
- Orange and Chatham County courthouses (detailed directions are provided on the page)
- Ages
- 11 to 18
Run by
MentoringThe goal of the mentoring program is simple: to develop positive one-on-one relationships between mentors and children. We offer community mentoring and group mentoring.
Community Service and Restitution ProgramOur Community Service and Restitution Program works with Orange County youth who have broken a law and are assigned community service hours. Young people are placed in nonprofit worksites throughout the county where volunteer supervisors oversee and evaluate their work.