Lincoln County Teen Court

Teen court offers eligible youth an alternative to the Juvenile Court system. Offenders receive a sentence from their peers rather than a judge. This gives the youth offenders an opportunity to take responsibility for their actions. It provides positive peer pressure with community based consequences. Those whom serve on the teen court panel are given a chance to make a difference in the lives of young people. When juvenile offenders successfully complete their Teen Court sentence, they will have the charge removed from their record. This is a real second chance to prove that mistakes can be turned into positive choices.

To participate in Teen Court the youth offender must be referred by a city, county, or state law enforcement agency, Lincoln County Department of Social Services, the Lincoln County District Attorney, the Department of Natural Resources or the Circuit or Municipal Court and meet EACH of the following requirements:

• The Youth offender must be 12 through 16 years of age, a first time offender, and have committed a misdemeanor crime or ordinance violation such as:
  • Tobacco and alcohol offences
  • Obstructing
  • Curfew violations
  • Truancy
  • Disorderly Conduct
  • Shoplifting, Theft or Vandalism (must be $50 or less, victim must give consent for the case to be heard in Teen Court)
  • DNR Violations under Chapter 23 (ATV), Chapter 29 (Hunting & Fishing), Chapter 30 (Boating), Chapter 350 (Snowmobiling) and NR45 (Parks and Recreation)
• The Youth offender must admit to committing the offense with which you have been charged.
• The Youth offender must also be willing to participate in Teen Court and be willing to follow its rules.
• The Youth offender must have a parent/guardian who is willing to accompany you to Teen Court.

Youth in 6th through 12th grade must undergo two all day trainings and one afternoon of mock trials to be a Panel member. These youth learn about the law, how to phrase a question properly, conflict resolution, how to look beyond the error and help the youth, how to take responsibility and much more. The youth apply through their schools in the winter months and are trained in January through February for their year of service.

Be a part of Teen Court -- become a Teen Court panel member! Teen Court Applictation for 2007 (2 pages, 52 KB)

Please contact Amanda at 715-536-0304, if you have any questions or would like more information.

Got a question? Answers to your questions Free by phone 24 hours every day from UW-Extension. Call InfoSource for answers on a variety of topics. County residents can call toll free at 1-800-441-4636. View the InfoSource web site for topic lists and more information on how to use this valuable resource.

MISSION

With an office in each Wisconsin county, Cooperative Extension develops practical educational programs tailored to local needs and based on university knowledge and research.

County-based Extension educators are University of Wisconsin faculty and staff who are experts in agriculture and agribusiness, community and economic development, natural resources, family living and youth development.

Extension county-based faculty and staff live and work with the people they serve in communities across the state. Extension specialists work on UW System campuses where they access current research and knowledge. Collaboration between county and campus faculty is the hallmark of Cooperative Extension in Wisconsin.