The Iroquois County Teen Court resumed on October 20, 2009, beginning its 5th year of service to first offender juvenile clients. The Teen Court was piloted in 2004 as a way to reduce clogging in the Juvenile Court System and has since made itself an invaluable tool for Iroquois County State’s Attorney James Devine. Devine is able to refer first offender delinquent clients to Teen Court with the knowledge that once the juvenile completes the sentences doled out by Teen Court volunteers, the offender’s record is cleared. Most juveniles referred to Teen Court complete their sentence and learn their lesson.
Volunteer attorneys, jurors, bailiffs, and clerks are recruited from schools in the County to operate the Teen Court. Many volunteers come because they like having something to do, some come because they have legal career goals, and others come because a friend convinced them it was a good idea.
Juvenile defendants and their parents are referred by the State’s Attorney if they meet certain criteria of the Teen Court Program. These defendants are then asked to come to future court proceedings as jurors so they can experience both sides of the process.
Also involved in the process, whenever possible, are the victims of crime. Unlike Juvenile Court where pleas are the norm, in Teen Court, victims are allowed to testify if they wish.
Finally, a person from the community is asked to testify at each proceeding concerning their thoughts and feelings about juvenile crime and how it affects them.
The Teen Court process is intended to show juvenile offenders how their crime affects not only them, but also their families, victims, and the community. In less than 30 minutes, Teen Court hears testimony from the juvenile, his/her parents, the victim and a person from the community. Also in that 30 minutes, the jury deliberates and creates a sentence based on the crime and testimony. Follow-up supervision is done by the Probation Department.
Although Teen Court is not open to the public, organizers encourage teens in grades 6 – 12 to consider becoming a volunteer. Adults are welcome to sign up to testify as the community person in cases. Information about Teen Court can be obtained by contacting the Iroquois County Probation Department (815) 432-6969 or bking@co.iroquois.il.us.
