Youth Court

The mission of Youth Court is to hold youth responsible and accountable for their behaviors as they infringe on the rules and policies of the school and interfere with a safe, productive learning environment.  Youth Court is to be practiced in a way that will develop empathy, identify, enhance and practice life skills, educate students on the legal system, provide an alternative disciplinary procedure, and involve students in their community.

HOW DOES YOUTH COURT WORK?

Cases are referred by the administrators at East High.  Some examples are:  behavior infractions, student conflicts, stealing, cheating, and harassment.

Selected students are trained in law and court procedure—assume all the roles including attorneys, jury, bailiff, and judge.  The students must pass a youth court bar exam.

Youth Court students act as probation officers.  Probation officers make sure the offender completes sanctions; this gives the offender a positive role model and positive relationship.

WHAT TYPES OF SENTENCES ARE IMPOSED BY YOUTH COURT?

Sanctions stress accountability, restorative justice, redirection of behavior and attitude.  Sanctions can include community service, participation in future Youth Court sessions as jurors, restitution to the victim, letters of apology, written assignment related to infraction or academic and behavior probation.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF YOUTH COURT?

To the defendant: 

Interruption of potential pattern of inappropriate behavior, improvement of self-esteem resulting from successful completion of the program, reinforcement of positive behavior, accountability, understanding of the legal system, and an opportunity to restore relationships.

To the school: 

A positive alternative for students who have stepped “off track.”

To the Youth Court students: 

A chance to practice leadership skills, help other students, and gain knowledge of law and the legal process.

To the community: 

Fewer young people entering the “real” legal system because of their participation in the Youth Court process. Youth Court should help risk-taking and problem behaviors decrease and citizenship skills increase.