Teen Courts - Research Paper Example

?Running head: Teen Courts Teen Courts Insert Insert Grade Insert 07 May Introduction Teen courts represent government and community commitment towards a better society through the creation of alternative methods of correcting juvenile offenders as well as providing opportunities for the youth to learn, participate, and acquaint with judicial processes (Roberts 45-51). Being a voluntary initiative, Teen Courts grant young offenders the chance to pay for their wrongs via community service. Such a program is imperative for young people in the sense that it grants them a chance to serve a lesser sentence. This makes it be possible for them to avoid hefty fines and penalties as well as making their names clean from juvenile records. Young offenders are subjected to a judicial process conducted by their colleagues who play the role of jurors. The jurors in the program undergo some training to expose them to professional judicial service, and are supposed to hear cases and determine sentences that can either be community service or jury service for the young wrongdoers. This provides a chance for the youths to discover and appreciate judicial service and offers a customized (justice) system appropriate for the adolescent people. For instance, in the state of Wisconsin, Teen Courts are widely recognized as tools for correction of young offenders and preparation of young people for better citizenship (Welsh and Siegel 37-42). The goals of Teen Courts in the state include; assisting offenders realize that offenses echo their personal actions, grant young people experience in the judicial system, provide awareness among youth regarding legal process, build relationships linking society and the young people and minimize costs by sentencing teenagers to community service. What They Are And How Do They Work? Teen courts can be described as problem solving avenues that are sanctioned by governments in respective states, in America. The aim in establishing these avenues is to offer optional judicial services for young people who have performed delinquent acts, accused of small offenses or qualified for diversion. Majority of the Teen Courts are acknowledged as credible and legal avenues for problem solving, sentencing and execution because training is offered to the youth working in the courts, there is support from the community and also because of agreements existing between them courts and regular courts. Therefore, Teen Courts are empowered to deal with minor offenses involving young people whereby the jurors who are derived from the teenagers receive training on how to conduct the processes and are supported both by government and society to perform their duties. The staffing of Teen Courts is primarily done through youth volunteers who receive professional training on their new roles as lawyers, jurors, clerks, bailiffs and judges in the various capacities. The courts usually collaborate with other institutions involved in justice and correction services in order to perform their duties. Such institutions comprise of; schools, juvenile custody centers, community organizations, and teenage courts. Such cooperation is relevant to the courts in the event of fulfilling their mandate. This is because part of their purpose is to achieve reprieve for young offenders and help in correcting their behavior. The operations of Teen Courts seem more or less the regular courts because cases are heard by judges who evaluate and decide their verdict for appropriate action. However, some teenage courts employ the application of different arrangements like having a number of judges determine a case and offer their verdict at the same time. Teen Court sentences mostly entail offender’s compensation of individuals offended or inconvenienced by misdeed or it may also involve the development of an awareness agenda regarding safety, health and respect or whichever subject selected that is in line with the offense (Roberts 23). Teen Court sentences are varied and mostly aimed at correcting the offender as well as using the case as an awareness scheme against unwanted behavior. For instance, awareness projects where the offender executes informational workshops to educate others on issues like alcoholism and drug addiction. To encourage youth participation in the processes of Teen Courts, the volunteers are usually recognized for their roles through schools and society awards. Similarly, adult people who volunteers in Teen Courts often play the function of trainers, coordinators, and advisers. Teen Courts also employ staffs who are paid, but most of them are usually hired in small numbers because a majority of the functions are done by volunteers. Where Are They Used Successfully? Teen courts have been applied successfully. This is particularly in the area of reducing teenage delinquency by offering the young people an opportunity to understand that crime do not pay and that turning a new leaf will be better for them (Fisher et al 12). This is primarily the purpose of the Teen Court program, which has empowered young people to judge their colleagues and offer them sentences that are less punitive and more corrective. Through this program, young people realize the ramifications of their deeds and perceive the importance of changing their approach to life. Similarly, through the sentences offered by the jurors or judges most of which involve community service and awareness programs, the community is educated on the various aspects of social conformity and ethical behavior. For instance, in cases of drug abuse or alcoholism, offenders are required to engage in community awareness projects through which the wrongdoers conduct education seminars to educate young people on the dangers of drug addiction and alcoholism as part of their sentences. Through the community education projects, Teen Courts have been successful in achieving behavior change among young people. Teenagers in society have been educated on dangerous behaviors and how to avoid the same. In the state of Wisconsin, Teen Courts have been successful in reintegrating offenders into society and also transmitting appropriate messages to the wrongdoers regarding the unacceptability of inappropriate behavior. This has been crucial in achieving communal enlightenment as well as ensuring that young people are deterred from indulging in wrong deeds. Through the execution of restorative justice, Teen Courts have been influential in cultivating acceptable conduct among teenagers by providing them an opportunity to see the negative and destructive aspects of their behavior. In extension, the sentences granted to the young offenders have also sent the right message to the society over the intolerance of unacceptable conduct. Being local and youth dominated; Teen Courts have earned a high acceptability among teenagers who correctly identify with the units making them successful in addressing teenage cases. Therefore, regarding the success of Teen Courts, the area of guaranteeing altruistic behavior and awareness has been well handled making the courts inherently effective in driving change among young people through an established and customized process that categorically serves their interests. How Do They Have A Positive Impact On Delinquency? Teen Courts have a positive impact on delinquency through the sentences provided that deter acts of crime among teenagers, awareness programs through which young people are enlightened about the dangers of negative behavior, as well as the staunch message transmitted to offenders regarding the unacceptability of criminal behavior (Bohm and Haley 70). As a result, delinquency has been on the decline ever since Teen Courts were commissioned bringing about change in society. The courts have diverse functions in society, which lead to reduced crime levels among teenagers. First is the judicial process through which offenders are subjected to investigation to determine whether they are guilty or not. When found guilty the court gives verdict regarding the degree of crime committed, and sentence is given to the offender. This serves two purposes all of which lead to low delinquency; first is the essence of the process that makes it categorically clear that crime is not tolerated in society and, therefore, making teenagers desist from acts of delinquency. Secondly, the sentences serve as a punishment for criminal acts and achieve the purpose of making young people stop indulging in crime. Additionally, the nature of sentences offered by Teen Courts is of immense interest in the wider approach of stopping young people from indulging in crime. Teen Courts offer sentences that make offenders learn about unacceptable behavior. These projects achieve the broad purpose of educating young people on the dangers of crime as well as deterring them from criminal activities. Hence, in general, Teen Courts are highly effective methods of reducing delinquency. Conclusion In summary, Teen Courts are established avenues for problem-solving that are recognized by government and supported by the community in handling cases involving young people. Through developed procedures, the courts have been remarkably effective in bringing transformation in society particularly among teenagers, as well as a significant reduction of delinquency cases. In essence, Teen Courts operate just like regular courts whereby they have people playing the roles of judges, lawyers and jurors who reside over the judicial proceedings involved. Individuals working in Teen Courts are mainly young volunteers who receive the required training on the nature of practice they partake. The process involves hearing cases and determining the fate of the offenders. When found with offenses, the wrongdoers are sentenced accordingly. Teen Courts are not only empowered to hear cases but also determine them and executive sentences. Works Cited Bohm, Robert and Haley, Keith. Introduction to Criminal Justice. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2005. Print Fisher et al. Youth Courts: Young People Delivering Justice. Washington: American Bar Association, 2002. Print Roberts, Albert. Juvenile Justice Sourcebook: Past, Present, and Future. Washington: Oxford University Press, 2004. Print Welsh, Brandon and Siegel, Larry. Juvenile Delinquency: The Core. Washington: Cengage Learning, 2010. Print Read More