WHY DO WE
NEED A TEEN COURT?
Teen Court is designed to provide a community based alternative to the formal court process. It represents a more positive alternative to the juvenile justice system, and focuses on youth development and accountability.
Young offenders learn to take responsibility for their actions. The program represents a way for juveniles to actively participate in an informal court process and learn from their mistakes. Juvenile cases addressed by this court are handled on a timely basis and free up time and funds for the Circuit Court system to handle more serious offenses.

Organizing Agencies

MERCER COUNTY TEEN COURT
NEEDS VOLUNTEERS
Contact us for more information!

Mercer County
Teen Court

Mercer County
Teen Court

Contact:
1505 Princeton Avenue
Princeton, West Virginia 24740
304.425.9973
E mail: teencourt@citlink.net
Websites:
www.mercerteencourt.org
www.drugfreemercer.org

“Giving First Time
Offenders
A Second Chance”

(304) 425-9973
Email: teencourt@citlinknet
www.mercerteencourt.org

Mercer County
Commission

BACKGROUND OF THE
MERCER TEEN COURT
The Mercer County Drug Free Community Support Program (A Community Connections, Inc. initiative) along with ChildLaw Services, Inc., Mercer County Commission, and numerous other local organizations, businesses and individuals have banded together to establish the Mercer County Teen Court.
This program is patterned after several successful Teen Court programs in the United States, including West Virginia.
It is based on the philosophy that a youthful law violator does not continue to be an offender when a peer jury decides punishment. The program focuses on youth accountability and development and provides a way for youthful offenders to keep their records clean (As long as no further charges are filed).
Teen Court is designed to interrupt patterns of criminal behavior by promoting positive feelings of self-esteem, motivating self improvement, and developing a healthy attitude toward authority.
WHO SERVES ON THE TEEN JURY?
The clerks, bailiffs, prosecuting and defense attorneys, and all jurors, are all Mercer County youth volunteers. They receive instruction and guidance from local attorneys.

HOW DOES
TEEN COURT WORK?
Defendant participation in this program is entirely voluntary and requires an advance guilty plea. The program is available to juvenile misdemeanor offenders. Defendants are from ages ten to 18 years and must have parental or guardian consent. A $25 fee is paid by each offender. He/she must also agree to serve as a juror in the future.
In Teen Court, the Judge, a volunteer local attorney, introduces the defendant to the teenage jurors who are informed of his/her charges. After hearing the evidence presented by a teenage prosecutor and defense attorney, the jury considers the appropriate sentence for the offense. The decision is reviewed by the Judge and read to the defendant.

Eligible offenses for Teen Court include:
Minor traffic violations
Misdemeanors such as public intoxication, shoplifting, criminal damage to property under $300, vandalism, disorderly conduct
Minors in possession of alcohol or simple possession of marijuana
Simple assaults
Others as identified
Teen Court sentences are designed to fit the offense and involve restitution, community service, and prevention education. A typical sentence could be any of the following:
Teen Court Basic Training
Apology (written, oral, or both)
Community Services
Research Paper
Prevention or education program
Restitution
Other
The defendant may accept the sentence assessed by the teen jury, or reject the sentence and elect to go before the Circuit Court.
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