This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Health & Fitness

Teen Court a Win for All

Students on both sides of Teen Court gain from the experience.

Regardless of where students sit when Teen Court convenes at Richards High School, they inevitably walk out better for the experience.  

Few, if any, experiences teach students about duty, consequences, and decision making like Teen Court. 

An alternative to detention or suspension, Teen Court allows students accused of disciplinary infractions to present their case to a jury of peers.  A ‘defense attorney’ helps represent the accused, while a ‘prosecutor’ explains the alleged infraction.

Find out what's happening in Paloswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

After the jury reaches a verdict and students leave, everyone involved walks away with real-life lessons in accountability and fair play.

Dean of Students Steve Proper manages the jurists and facilitates each session of Teen Court.  While some might question whether student-administered discipline proves effective, Proper regularly witnesses the power of peer review.

Find out what's happening in Paloswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

“Defendants receive feedback and suggestions from their peers on how to improve behavior.  The court usually asks the defendant what he or she will do differently in the future to prevent this from happening again,” Proper said.

Standing in judgment before one’s peers inspires introspection.  It’s a moment anyone can appreciate: Learning how an action or word affected someone else almost always leads to thought and consideration.

“Defendants take ownership for mistakes.  And instead of serving detentions or suspensions, they receive community service hours,” Proper said.  “The jury may request the student to see his or her counselor or social worker, too.  The jury at times has the students write an apology or reflection letter to the teacher, too.”

While sitting in judgment may seem an envious position, students who serve as lawyers, judge, and jury members feel the weight of that responsibility.  They take their roles seriously.

“Even though I might know the defendant, I realize I must be fair,” said Becky McEvilly.  “It helps a lot to hear the opinions of others.  Negotiating takes place to find a happy medium that suits everyone.”

“As a jurist, I feel each person should be treated fairly.  We always need to hear them out,” said Sawsan Natour.

Serving as a jurist places students in leadership roles.  “Since I’m in this program, I’ve learned that I’m a role model for my peers.  I need to follow rules and set a good example,” said Shorok Judeh.

For others, it’s also a first step toward a career.

“Serving on Teen Court has taught me that in order to become a lawyer, you need to be strong-willed and confident,” Natour said.

Like Proper, those who serve as jurists feel that Teen Court provides an effective alternative to student discipline.  Several stressed that the voices of peers -- as opposed to teachers, administrators or parents – breaks through any defensive walls.

“It’s effective because students are getting judged by fellow students so they realize (when found guilty) that what they did was wrong,” Judeh said.

“Since we are their age, we can relate to their issues and that way we can provide a fair punishment.  It makes me feel like I’m making a difference,” McEvilly said.

Students sitting across from the jury live a completely different experience in Teen Court, of course.  Still, defendants leave better for the process.  Proper recalled a specific example.

“I gave a student an opportunity to plead his case in Teen Court for being very disrespectful to afternoon bus driver.   He demanded to get off at a stop that wasn’t on the bus driver’s drop-off list, Proper said.  

The bus driver wrote a disciplinary referral the next day.  

“I had a meeting with the student and his mom.  I told the student that he could either be suspended for three days or plead his case to his peers in Teen Court,” Proper said. 

The student and parent chose Teen Court, and the case sparked much conversation.

“I can remember the jurors had a great debate on what the student did wrong and how many hours he should receive for his behavior.  It went longer than usual.   Even after the jury deliberated, the judge had some additional questions for the defendant and debated with the jury regarding the amount of community service hours,” Proper said.  

Proper and the student sat down together the following day to talk.

“It was very productive and really gave the defendant an understanding on what he did wrong and how he needs to handle himself in the future.   All of the students gave their input and participated.   It was nice to see.  I met with the defendant the next day.  He really appreciated the opportunity to participate in Teen Court and understood where he went wrong on the bus that day,” Proper said.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?