To: Honorable Mayor and Members of Town Council
Through: David L. Corliss, Town Manager
From: Karla McCrimmon, Court Administrator
Title
Teen Court Training Update
Body
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Executive Summary
The Castle Rock Teen Court has 19 teen volunteers who completed 14 hours of Teen Court training on Monday, August 1.
They have learned about courts and the law, local government and how they can make an impact, restorative justice, impacts of crime, diversity training, active listening and influential questioning skills, aggravating and mitigating facts in a case and how that helps determine sentencing, and they have participated in Mock Trials.
Training was held collectively with the new members of the Lone Tree Teen Court.
We are appreciative to Councilman Dietz for his help and support during the training.
This is an inspirational and outstanding group of young adult leaders, who are making a difference in their community, in many different directions.
Teen Court is ready to hear their first case on August 8. As of the writing of this Memorandum, this is the only case that has met the Teen Court eligibility requirements thus far.
Teen Court is a community-based, juvenile intervention/prevention program that offers an alternative to the juvenile justice system.
This diversion-like program only accepts juvenile offenders with first-time, nonviolent, misdemeanor charges. These offenders are seen by trained youth volunteers who determine the appropriate sanctions for the offender.
Teen Court is based upon restorative justice principles and seeks to ensure that the harm caused by each juvenile offender is repaired. Our volunteer panelists accomplish this through holding each participant accountable for their actions, ensuring the safety of the community, and fostering the respondent's skill development in order to prevent any future violations.
Teen Court is also a great opportunity for youth in the community to get involved in criminal justice, serving their peers, and growing in their communication, leadership, and critical thinking skills.