TEEN COURT

Welcome to Teen Court, an option of the diversion program of Whatcom County Juvenile Court. In Teen Court, juvenile offenders are prosecuted, defended and sentenced by their peers. This program offers unique opportunities for all participants to both learn about the consequences of criminal behavior and to make positive contributions to the community.

Teen Court provides a meaningful court experience for youthful offenders charged with misdemeanors. It also provides offenders and non-offender youth the chance to participate in a community service project that directly affects their peers. The intent of the program is to give teens the opportunity to weigh the effects of criminal behavior in the community and have a voice in determining the community's response to that behavior. Teen Court is founded on the principle that teens are capable of thoughtfully and responsibly representing community interests, defending offenders and sentencing their peers.

Teen Courts throughout the country report successful outcomes and reduced recidivism as a result of this program. Participants in teen courts elsewhere report that the most positive aspects of these programs include the learning experience and the opportunity to influence the behavior of their peers.

Parents, family and friends are invited to attend Teen Court and observe how it all works. Options High School students have been involved in Teen Court since the beginning of the program, in 1999. Teen Court meets on the second Wednesday of each month at the Whatcom County Courthouse downtown.

Please feel free to call me or email me at shoffman@bham.wednet.edu if you have any questions or would like more information about Teen Court.

Sincerely,

Steve Hoffman

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