index

Welcome to Our Association!

Since July 1, 2006, Teen Court programs from throughout West Virginia have had a place to call home. The West Virginia Teen Court Association works to link new and existing programs together to help share information and collect data on how to effectively deliver justice to youth in our communities who are alleged to have committed a status offense or an act of delinquency which would be considered a misdemeanor if committed by an adult.

For more information on how this Association is funded and goals and objectives for the next year, please click here!

NEWS...

The next statewide teen court training will be held November 16-17 in Flatwoods, WV. This is for developing teen courts and those courts that need a refresher on operational capacity building.

For the latest news with the West Virginia Teen Court Association, please check our our site on Facebook! Click here

What is a Teen Court?

Teen Court is a legally binding alternative system of justice that offers young offenders an opportunity to make restitution for their offenses through community service, educational classes, and jury service. This allows them to avoid fines and sentences handed down by the criminal justice system. Teen Court tries real cases with real consequences. Teen Court is a "hands on" educational opportunity that allows both offenders and teen volunteers to better understand our system of justice.

A youth referred to Teen Court has his/her case argued by teenage prosecuting and defense attorneys before a jury of peers, consisting of volunteers from grades seven through twelve of local county schools and returning youth who were previously defendants. The teen jury determines each defendant’s sentence based on the nature of the offense committed, and assigns the number of hours of community service to be performed. Each defendant is also sentenced to serve a number of jury terms.