How It Works To be heard and judged in Teen Court... Youths who are charged with a criminal offense are referred to the Redmond Juvenile Services Program. The referrals come from local law enforcement or the county juvenile department. An intake hearing is scheduled with the youth and his/her parent or guardian. At that time it is determined if the defendant meets the criteria to participate in the Teen Court program.

TOPICS: Eligible Offenses Criteria to Participate Teen Court Referrals Teen Court Officers What Happens in Court

• The offender is given a copy of the Oregon law and asked to evaluate their guilt or innocence. If he/she admits guilt, they are given a court date and a defense attorney is assigned to them by the Court Liaison.
  
  
• At the hearing, the Prosecutor and Defense attorney present evidence of the case to the jury. The defendant is also required to testify about the incident.
  
  
• The jury hears the case and is instructed by the youth judge to take the following considerations into account prior to sentencing.
  
  
The sentence needs to have components that will...

• increase the defendant's understanding of his/her actions and the effects of those actions on others
  
• give the defendant opportunities to repair harm
  
• increase the defendant's skills, competencies and ties to the community
  
  
• Upon hearing the sentencing verdict, the defendant and parent/guardian are escorted out of the courtroom by the Court Liaison, and the contract is entered into by the youth, parent/guardian and the Court.
  
  

Eligible Offenses/Crimes

Offenses appropriate for Teen Court include (but may not be limited to) the following:

• Criminal Mischief
• Shoplifting
• Burglary
• Menacing
• Minor in Possession of Alcohol
• Possession of a Controlled Substance
• Harassment
• Disorderly Conduct
• Assault
• Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle (UUMV)

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Criteria to Participate

To participate in the Teen Court the following requirements must be met:

• This must be a first offense.
• The offender must accept responsibility for their behavior (i.e., they must admit their guilt before entering the program).
• The offender must agree to accept the Teen Court's judgment as a resolution.

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Teen Court Referrals

In general, Teen Court referrals come from law enforcement or the county juvenile department. If you believe your case may be appropriate for Teen Court but have not been offered the option, contact the juvenile department caseworker responsible for your case and ask if a referral is appropriate.

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Teen Court Officers

The following job descriptions outline the duties of student officers of the court. To volunteer for a position with the court, click here.

1. JUDGE: The judge serves as a central authority and moderator, keeping the hearing moving forward, assuring that points of order are kept, resolving disputes, and giving instructions to the jury.



2. ATTORNEYS (defense and prosecution): Attorneys are expected to...
   
   • research the cases they are assigned, ascertaining:
     
     • Special circumstances surrounding the defendant
     • Legal concerns
     • Read pertinent Oregon revised statutes
   • Interview defendant and potential witnesses
   • Obtain written statement or other evidence
   • Prepare opening statements, questions and closing arguments
   • Present a competent, well-prepared case at trial
   • Attempt to secure the most severe (for prosecutors) or lenient (for defense attorneys), yet reasonable, consequence available for the defendant. Defense attorneys may also suggest no consequence if the circumstances warrant it.
     
     
3. COURT LIAISON:
   • Makes sure each defendant has an accurate understanding of the Teen Court's sentence and the time frame the defendant has to complete it.
   • Acts as a peer support system to youths as needed.
   • Works with JSP Director to ensure defendant's successful completion of the program.
     
     
4. COURT CLERK:
   • Announces court cases.
   • Fills out forms for cases and records sentences.
   • Prepares order for expungement of records when sentences are completed. JSP Director will sign the order. Expunged records will be overseen by JSP Director.
     
     
5. BAILIFF:
   • Directs the jury in and out of the courtroom.
   • Acts as messenger between judge and jury.
   • Swears in witnesses with this oath: "Please raise your right hand" (Bailiff also raises his/her right hand). "Do you solemnly swear or affirm that the testimony you are about to give is the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth?" The witness is then invited to sit.
   • Keeps time for the court and aids the judge in maintaining order in the court.

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What Happens in Court

The following is an outline of what occurs at a Teen Court Hearing.

1. The Attorneys take their places.
2. The Defendant's Bailiff seats the parent, then takes the Defendant up to sit with their Attorney.
3. The Jury is brought in by their Bailiff to take their seats in the jury box.
4. The Bailiff checks with all members of the Court to be sure they are ready. The Bailiff notifies the Judge when the Court is ready. When the Judge comes in the Bailiff says, "All rise. Redmond Teen Court is now in session."
5. The Judge asks the Jury to rise and be sworn. The oath is given by the Bailiff.
6. The Clerk calls the case docket number and Defendant's name in a strong clear voice.
7. Statement of Crime: "Facts of the Case"
   • Prosecution presents first: who, what, when, where
   • Defense adds details, if necessary
8. Witness(es):
   • Prosecution calls witness(es), if any, and/or presents exhibits.
   • Defense calls witness(es), if any, and/or presents exhibits. (Normally, first input from Defense Attorney.)
9. Closing arguments with recommendation for contract (sentence) -- this is where attorneys stress attitude, remorse, behavior and other facts to get their point across:
   • Prosecution
   • Defense
10. Judge instructs the Jury of their duty and directs the Bailiff to obtain the Jury Disposition Form from the Clerk and to retire the Jury for deliberation.
11. At this point, another Jury is brought in and a new case begins.
12. After the second Jury hears their case and the first Jury has reached a decision, the Bailiff advises the Court. The second Jury is led to the deliberation room by their Bailiff. At the same time, the first Jury is brought back into the courtroom and seated. The Defendant whose case they heard is brought back into the courtroom. At this point, the Bailiff takes the Jury Disposition Form from the Foreman and gives it to the Judge for approval. It is then handed back to the Bailiff who gives it to the Foreman. The Judge then calls the Defendant forward and has him/her face the Jury while the Foreman reads the constructive sentence.
13. The Judge then instructs the Defendant to take the Jury Disposition Form to the Peer Jury Director.
14. The Judge thanks the Jury and they remain to hear their next case. (The second Jury is still deliberating their case at this point.)

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