News for Youth...Youth Court: Teens Try Real Cases

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News for Youth...Youth Court

Teens Try Real Cases

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The Greenville (South Carolina) News reported on Sunday, Dec. 8, 2002, that two Greenville County schools are adopting youth courts to take some student offenders out of family courts. With approximately 900 youth courts nationwide, and 13 in South Carolina, local residents are hopeful this pilot program will help youth become more responsible and free up the clogged court system.

Those eligible for the court are "first-time offenders charged with nonviolent crimes on the school campus or at a school event. The crimes range from vandalism to simple assault. Students do not escape accountability or punishment in youth court. To qualify, students must first plead guilty, therefore accepting responsibility."

Once accepted into the court, defendants face their peers who act as the prosecutors, defenders, jurors and court officers. While an adult volunteer, usually an attorney, directs the proceedings, students decide the punishments.

Youth courts have proven to be effective tools for teaching the importance of proper societal conduct. ("Youth Court: A Sound Idea," Dec. 8, 2002).