Teen Court is a Juvenile Court program. All of the court personnel with the exception of the judge are teenagers. Real cases are heard where other teenagers have admitted the offense, and who have elected to be judged by their peers in determining the sentence. Teenagers are the jurors, prosecuting and defense attorneys, bailiffs, and court clerks.

Why a Teen Court?
Who runs Teen Court?
What happens in Teen Court?
How does a teenager become a part of Teen Court?
Who may participate?
When does Teen Court meet?
Find out more...

Application for Teen Court

Why a Teen Court?

Young people have a significant influence on each other. Teen Courts have been found to reduce the rate at which young people commit crimes a second time. In addition, Ventura County believes in giving young people a greater role in the juvenile justice system. Teen Court allows young people to be a part of the system.

Teen Court is a part of the Juvenile Court, so the presiding judge of the juvenile court oversees Teen Court. Volunteers provide training to students and also help with overall direction of the Teen Court.

Defendants are referred to the court by the Ventura County Probation Services Agency for offenses such as possession of alcohol, vandalism, or shoplifting.

Teen Court operates much like any adult court except that the public is not allowed to sit in the courtroom during juvenile proceedings-and, of course, the attorney, bailiff, court clerk, and jurors are all teenagers.

Teen Court is not to determine guilt or innocence. By participating in Teen Court the young person has admitted to committing the offense. Teen Court decides the sentence.

The prosecuting attorney presents the case to the jury. Following that, the defense attorney presents the defendant's case which usually includes calling the defendant to the witness stand and asking questions to help the jury understand the defendant.

The prosecuting attorney then cross-examines the defendant. After both of the attorneys have presented their cases, each have the opportunity to present their recommended sentence to the jury.

The bailiff then takes the jury to the deliberation room where the jurors discuss and decide an appropriate sentence.

They return to the courtroom and the sentence is read. The judge offers the defendant the opportunity to accept or reject the sentence at that point. If the sentence is accepted, the case is over and the defendant then meets with school officials to complete the details involved with fulfilling their sentence.

If the defendant rejects the sentence or in the event that the sentence is not completed, the case is turned over to Juvenile Probation.

A teenager who participates in Teen Court does so following a training period which includes completing eight hours of training conducted by the Superior Court Judge, the Probation Agency, attorneys, and the Teen Court Coordinator.

Any Ventura County high school student who goes through the training and is willing to be involved for one or more semesters is eligible to participate.

Teen Court meets twice a month after school at participating high schools.

You can apply to be a member of Teen Court by completing an application. Applications may be obtained from the high school counselors.

Teen Court has been developed as part of the Ventura County Juvenile Court System. It involves students of high school age sitting as a court for determining the appropriate disposition of cases referred to it from the Ventura County Corrections Services Agency. These are real cases, where other teenagers have admitted the underlying offense, and who have elected to be judged by their peer sin determining the sentence to be imposed.

Teen Court is administered almost entirely by students. Except for the Judge, all other participants are students: prosecuting and defense attorneys, the clerk, bailiff, and jury. Teen Court will learn about a particular student’s offense as presented by the attorneys and will then select a disposition that is designed to hold the student accountable for his/her conduct and will encourage future compliance with the law.

Since Teen Court is designed for students and run by students, your participation is vital to its success. The court depends on students to volunteer their time and effort as jurors, attorneys, and court staff so that all who appear will receive a fair and appropriate disposition. If you would like to participate, please complete the application below, indicating your preferences as to court position. I can assure you that you will find Teen Court an interesting and satisfying experience.

Steven Z. Perren
Superior Court Judge

Name

Date of Birth

Address

City Zip

Telephone

Parent/Guardian’s Name

Person to Contact in an Emergency

Telephone

School

Year in School (e.g. Freshman)

Student’s Signature

Parent/Guardian’s Signature

Reason for involvement in Teen Court:

In which position are you most interested?