Teen CourtTeen CourtGreater Williamson CountyGreater Williamson County

YMCA Teen CourtYMCA Teen Court

Created for the WCYMCA Teen Court Created for the WCYMCA Teen Court Available with permission onlyAvailable with permission only

About Teen CourtAbout Teen Court

Sponsored by the YMCA of Greater Sponsored by the YMCA of Greater Williamson County and Judge Edna Williamson County and Judge Edna Staudt. Staudt.

All junior high and high school students All junior high and high school students age 13 and above are invited to age 13 and above are invited to participate. participate.

Local attorneys, judges, law enforcement Local attorneys, judges, law enforcement officers and probation officers teach and officers and probation officers teach and coach court participants. coach court participants. 

PhilosophyPhilosophy Teen Court is a voluntary program, which assists Teen Court is a voluntary program, which assists

teenage offenders in assuming responsibility for their teenage offenders in assuming responsibility for their behavior through involvement in the judicial process behavior through involvement in the judicial process and work in the community.and work in the community.

A jury of their peers, sentences them to constructive A jury of their peers, sentences them to constructive service in an agency of their choiceservice in an agency of their choice

This program seeks to deter teens from future This program seeks to deter teens from future unlawful practices, while providing direct experience unlawful practices, while providing direct experience in the judiciary system and an understanding of their in the judiciary system and an understanding of their roles in society. roles in society.

Additionally, the community benefits from these Additionally, the community benefits from these youths’ involvement in their programs. youths’ involvement in their programs.

GoalsGoals Hold juvenile offenders responsible for their behavior Hold juvenile offenders responsible for their behavior Promote a positive attitude of teenagers toward authority Promote a positive attitude of teenagers toward authority Provide teenage defendants with a positive experience in the Provide teenage defendants with a positive experience in the

judicial system, judicial system, Establish positive relationships between the community and Establish positive relationships between the community and

its youthits youth Offer an opportunity for young people to experience the Offer an opportunity for young people to experience the

consequences of their behavior without having a juvenile consequences of their behavior without having a juvenile court recordcourt record

Expose young people to the realism of the judicial process Expose young people to the realism of the judicial process and the consequences of illegal behaviorand the consequences of illegal behavior

Goals Cont…Goals Cont… Provide an alternative to juvenile court proceedingsProvide an alternative to juvenile court proceedings Promote feelings of self esteem, motivation for self Promote feelings of self esteem, motivation for self

improvement, and development of healthy attitudes toward improvement, and development of healthy attitudes toward authorityauthority

Educate the participants about the judicial systemEducate the participants about the judicial system Provide a vehicle for students interested in careers in law Provide a vehicle for students interested in careers in law

enforcement, law and legal services, such as court reporting, to enforcement, law and legal services, such as court reporting, to participate in the legal processparticipate in the legal process

Involve the community in the juvenile court processInvolve the community in the juvenile court process

WhenWhen

Training: One Monday of each month Training: One Monday of each month 6:30 p.m. – 8:30p.m. 6:30 p.m. – 8:30p.m. Pizza and drinks providedPizza and drinks provided

Formal Court Sessions: Formal Court Sessions: One Monday of each month One Monday of each month 6:30p.m. – 8:30p.m. 6:30p.m. – 8:30p.m.

Refer to Current ScheduleRefer to Current Schedule

JudgeJudge In our teen court the In our teen court the

teen judge must meet teen judge must meet the following the following requirements:requirements:

Be a senior in high Be a senior in high schoolschool

Have successfully Have successfully completed the role of completed the role of attorneyattorney

And must complete the And must complete the Judicial Training by Judicial Training by Judge StaudtJudge Staudt

ProsecutorProsecutor The prosecutor is the acting attorney for the The prosecutor is the acting attorney for the

State of Texas and must recommend the State of Texas and must recommend the punishments of a person charged with a punishments of a person charged with a crime. crime.

The objective of the prosecutor is to The objective of the prosecutor is to convince the jury to accept his convince the jury to accept his recommendation on the punishment. This recommendation on the punishment. This can be done by pointing out the defendant’s can be done by pointing out the defendant’s lack of responsibility, careless or reckless lack of responsibility, careless or reckless actions, and disregard for others. actions, and disregard for others. 

The prosecutor should influence the panel of The prosecutor should influence the panel of jurors to punish the defendant to the extent jurors to punish the defendant to the extent that is appropriate and proportional to the that is appropriate and proportional to the crime that was committed. crime that was committed.

Defense CounselDefense Counsel The defense attorney represents The defense attorney represents

the interest of the defendant the interest of the defendant who is tried before his peers. who is tried before his peers.

The objective of the defense is The objective of the defense is to persuade the jurors that the to persuade the jurors that the defendant is a responsible defendant is a responsible person who does not deserve a person who does not deserve a severe penalty.  severe penalty. 

The defense attorney should The defense attorney should produce testimony that will produce testimony that will support the defendant’s good support the defendant’s good character standing. character standing.

Attorney ResponsibilitiesAttorney Responsibilities

The attorneys will observe rules of good The attorneys will observe rules of good conduct during proceedings and act in a conduct during proceedings and act in a mature and responsible manner. mature and responsible manner. 

They will meet with the defendant, arresting They will meet with the defendant, arresting officer(s) and/or witnesses (whichever is officer(s) and/or witnesses (whichever is appropriate) and prepare a case as best as appropriate) and prepare a case as best as possible.  possible. 

They will present a fair and honest case. They will present a fair and honest case.

DefendantDefendant

Has been adjudicated on a real crime.Has been adjudicated on a real crime. Has already been found guilty.Has already been found guilty. Has chosen to have their case dismissed by Has chosen to have their case dismissed by

participating in Teen Court.participating in Teen Court. Must comply with teen court requirements and Must comply with teen court requirements and

finish the sentence given to them.finish the sentence given to them.

BailiffBailiff Is to be the courtroom officer who is in Is to be the courtroom officer who is in

charge of the order in the court session. charge of the order in the court session. Has custody of the jury and assists in Has custody of the jury and assists in

communication between the jury that is communication between the jury that is in deliberation and the Judge.  in deliberation and the Judge.  

Will open the session by presenting the Will open the session by presenting the Justice to the court.  “All rise, the Justice to the court.  “All rise, the Williamson County / YMCA Teen Court Williamson County / YMCA Teen Court is now in session, Judge, presiding.” And is now in session, Judge, presiding.” And administer oaths to jurors and witnesses.administer oaths to jurors and witnesses.

Will follow the instructions of the Judge Will follow the instructions of the Judge in regards to keeping order in the in regards to keeping order in the courtroom during the proceedings. courtroom during the proceedings.

Court ClerkCourt Clerk

The Court Clerk is The Court Clerk is responsible for assuring that responsible for assuring that all jurists have completed all jurists have completed the confidentiality oath the confidentiality oath

Is responsible for Is responsible for completing the proper paper completing the proper paper work noting the decision of work noting the decision of the jury.  the jury. 

All paperwork should be All paperwork should be turned in to the clerk after turned in to the clerk after each session is complete. each session is complete.

JuristJurist The jurist is the most important The jurist is the most important

participant in the Teen Court participant in the Teen Court Program. Program.

Each person must be willing to Each person must be willing to give their undivided attention to give their undivided attention to the Judge, witnesses and to each the Judge, witnesses and to each side of the case before them.  side of the case before them. 

Characteristics of a jurist are that Characteristics of a jurist are that he/she is unbiased, objective and he/she is unbiased, objective and fair to those involved.  fair to those involved. 

The jurist listens very carefully to The jurist listens very carefully to everything presented. everything presented.

After all testimony is heard, the After all testimony is heard, the jury decides a just punishment. jury decides a just punishment.

Jury RequirementsJury Requirements You are instructed that your You are instructed that your

recommendation must be recommendation must be unanimous, in deciding the number unanimous, in deciding the number of community service hours for of community service hours for each offense listed.each offense listed.

The defense has asked for _____ The defense has asked for _____ hours and the prosecution is hours and the prosecution is requesting _____ hours. requesting _____ hours.

Knock on the door when a verdict Knock on the door when a verdict has been reached. The bailiff will has been reached. The bailiff will advise you when you may return to advise you when you may return to the courtroom.the courtroom.

Discipline GridDiscipline GridClass 1Class 1

CLASS 1 (includes but not limited to):CLASS 1 (includes but not limited to): Defective lights/equipment violations.Defective lights/equipment violations. 6 - 18 Hours 6 - 18 Hours No seat belt/no helmetNo seat belt/no helmet AND 1 Jury AND 1 Jury

TermTerm Following too closelyFollowing too closely No turn signal/improper turnNo turn signal/improper turn Speeding 1-10 mph over posted speedSpeeding 1-10 mph over posted speed

Discipline GridDiscipline GridClass 2Class 2

CLASS 2 (includes but not limited to):CLASS 2 (includes but not limited to): Driver license violations Driver license violations 10 - 22 10 - 22 Failure to yield right-of-wayFailure to yield right-of-way AND 1 -2 Jury AND 1 -2 Jury

TermsTerms Failure to stop at red light/stop signFailure to stop at red light/stop sign Unsafe lane change/unsafe speedUnsafe lane change/unsafe speed Speeding 11-20 mph over posted speedSpeeding 11-20 mph over posted speed Disregard traffic control deviceDisregard traffic control device Exhibition of AccelerationExhibition of Acceleration Littering Littering Disorderly Conduct – LanguageDisorderly Conduct – Language

Discipline GridDiscipline GridClass 3Class 3

CLASS 3 (includes but not limited to):CLASS 3 (includes but not limited to): Speeding 21-25 mph over posted speedSpeeding 21-25 mph over posted speed 5 – 30 hours5 – 30 hours Speeding – School zone 1-10 mph Speeding – School zone 1-10 mph AND/ORAND/OR over posted speed over posted speed Driving SafteyDriving Saftey

CourseCourse

Failure to maintain financial responsibilityFailure to maintain financial responsibility Failure to identifyFailure to identify AND AND

Curfew ViolationCurfew Violation 1-2 Jury Terms 1-2 Jury Terms Fail to Control SpeedFail to Control Speed

Discipline GridDiscipline GridClass 4Class 4

CLASS 4 (includes but not limited to):CLASS 4 (includes but not limited to): Driving without a valid Texas Driving LicenseDriving without a valid Texas Driving License Speeding >26 mph over posted speedSpeeding >26 mph over posted speed 25 – 50 hours25 – 50 hours Racing – contest for speedRacing – contest for speed Speeding – School zone >11 mph over posted speedSpeeding – School zone >11 mph over posted speed Leaving scene of accidentLeaving scene of accident AND/OR AND/OR Criminal Mischief, TheftCriminal Mischief, Theft Driving Safety CourseDriving Safety Course Possession of Drug Paraphernalia,Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Anger Management Anger Management

ClassClass Simple AssaultSimple Assault Alcohol Awareness Alcohol Awareness

ClassClass Disorderly Conduct – (except language)Disorderly Conduct – (except language) Minor in possession of AlcoholMinor in possession of Alcohol Minor in consumption of alcoholMinor in consumption of alcohol AND 1 - 2 Jury TermsAND 1 - 2 Jury Terms Fleeing an OfficerFleeing an Officer

Dress CodeDress CodeNO!

YES!

We require our attorneys and staff to We require our attorneys and staff to look professional and dress look professional and dress appropriately. appropriately.

NO blue jeans, shorts, baggy clothing, NO blue jeans, shorts, baggy clothing, mini skirts, sleeveless tops, and nothing mini skirts, sleeveless tops, and nothing revealing. revealing.

For defendants, the males wear slacks For defendants, the males wear slacks and shirts with collars and the females to and shirts with collars and the females to wear nice slacks, dresses, or skirts and wear nice slacks, dresses, or skirts and blouses.blouses.

NO!

Jury Deliberation QuestionsJury Deliberation Questions Was the conduct malicious or vicious?Was the conduct malicious or vicious? Did the defendant regret or feel sorry for committing the Did the defendant regret or feel sorry for committing the

offense?offense? Has the defendant received punishment at home or school?Has the defendant received punishment at home or school? Was any property destroyed, any money taken, or any Was any property destroyed, any money taken, or any

people hurt?people hurt? Does the defendant have a history of similar conduct?Does the defendant have a history of similar conduct? Do you think the defendant will commit this crime again?Do you think the defendant will commit this crime again? Was the defendant sincere or serious in giving his Was the defendant sincere or serious in giving his

testimony?testimony? What do you think is an appropriate punishment?What do you think is an appropriate punishment? Do you think the defendant will learn a lesson from your Do you think the defendant will learn a lesson from your

decision?decision?

OathsOaths JURY’S OATH:JURY’S OATH: Do you and each of you solemnly swear that you will well and Do you and each of you solemnly swear that you will well and

truly try the cause about to be submitted to you and a true truly try the cause about to be submitted to you and a true verdict render therein according to the law and the evidence,verdict render therein according to the law and the evidence,

So help you God?So help you God?

DEFENDANT’S OATH:DEFENDANT’S OATH: Do you solemnly swear or affirm that the testimony you are Do you solemnly swear or affirm that the testimony you are

about to give shall be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing about to give shall be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth,but the truth,

So help you God?So help you God?