What you need to know
Teen Court is a real court of justice for misdemeanor juvenile traffic offenses, run by other teens. To participate in the program, juvenile defendants must plead guilty or no contest and choose to have their case heard by Teen Court, according to the release.
Once a juvenile chooses Teen Court, teen volunteers—serving as attorneys, bailiffs, jurors or clerks—hear arguments from the prosecution and defense. Working alongside municipal judges, police officers and court staff, they determine the appropriate sanctions, such as community service or jury duty, for future Teen Court cases, according to the release.
The details
The first Teen Court session will run from August to December, and the second session will run from January to May, according to the release.
If students are chosen for the program, they will attend a one-day training session where they will be divided into groups and conduct mock trials, city officials said. Coordinators assign roles based on the student's performance in the trials.
Teen Court meets once a month, with around five to six cases heard during each session, according to city officials.
“The collective goal of the Teen Court is to provide education, training and experience to participants interested in pursuing a career in law or criminal justice. It also encouraged students to familiarize themselves with the jury and selection process,” according to the Manvel City website.
What's next
The Manvel Municipal Court will host an informational meeting from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. July 31 at Manvel City Hall, 20031 Morris Ave., Manvel.
