DURHAM COUNTY TEEN COURT & RESTITUTION PROGRAM
This organization has already been registered
Someone in your organization has already registered and setup an account. would you like to join their team?Profile owner : s*****s@m********g.c*m
Mission Statement
The Teen Court & Restitution Programs are two separate programs that serve at-risk court involved youth. Teen Court deals with first time offenders and gives them a second chance at maintaining a clean record. Youth up to age 17 can benefit from this specialize court. The Restitution Program deals with juveniles 16 and under. The youth in this program are court ordered to complete community service as part of their probation or diversion contract. Both programs share the goal of helping our youth move forward from the negative experience that bought them to us. A major component of what we do is helping our participants take responsibility for their actions, right their wrongs when possible, make better decisions and focus on becoming productive members of our community.
About This Cause
Teen Court is an alternative court for youth who commit first time misdemeanor offenses. The cases heard in Teen Court are real and failure to complete can lead to the youth being charged criminally for the offense they committed. This court allows youth to take responsibility for their actions by admitting guilt and literally being judged by a jury of their peers. Youth who participate in Teen Court have the privilege of keeping a conviction off of their record, youth 16 and up are keeping the charge off of their permanent record. Youth who are referred to Teen Court (DEFENDANTS) have their case heard in Teen Court, they are defended and prosecuted by youth attorneys and have a chance to take the stand to tell their story. Once the hearing is complete, the presiding Judge ( a local attorney, Judge, law student) instructs the jury to exit and discuss the case and the appropriate punishment (sentence). If the defendant complies with the sentence, he/she is terminated successfully, the referral source and courts are notified and the charge is dismissed or closed out with no conviction on the participant’s record. Through Teen Court these youth are exposed to positive peers and mentors and they give back to their communities by performing jury ordered community service. Youth who VOLUNTEER with Teen Court serve in the roles of youth attorney, clerk, bailiff and jurors. These youth gain valuable public speaking skills, the opportunity to positively influence their peers and a firsthand look into the court system. Defendants and volunteers are exposed to local attorneys and judges in a less intimidating setting. They have the chance to ask questions and be informed of what could have happened if their case were handled in Juvenile or District Courts. The Restitution Program provides Durham County's Juvenile Court system with a centralized program that holds juvenile court involved youth, to include adjudicated and or diverted youth accountable for their actions. These youth are held accountable through service to the community, monetary payment to their victims and or letters of apology. The Restitution Program places court involved juveniles in community service placements and monitors their progress and compliance. In addition, our Payback Program allows youth to perform community service and earn up to $200.00 toward their monetary obligation to their victim.