November
1st Decreed Teen Court Day
Governor
Scott McCallum has decreed November 1st
Wisconsin
Teen Court Day. McCallum sited the program's
strengths
in promoting trust, self-control and motivation
in
teens to promote relationships of well-being for all
youth.
Thirty teen courts are at work in Wisconsin
communities. |
 Teen Court Application 2008
 Approximately 4 Out of 5 Oconto County Businesses DO NOT Sell Tobacco to Minors
Fewer Businesses Selling Tobacco Illegally to Minors
What
is Teen Court?
Teen Court is
a program for teens, ages 10-17, who commit misdemeanor
crimes or ordinance violations such as curfew, theft, disorderly
conduct, underage alcohol or tobacco use, or minor criminal
damage. First time offenders admit their guilt and volunterily
enter the Teen Court System as an alternative to Juvenile
Court. The Teen Court Panel is made up of 4-6 high school
volunteers who go through training to determine an appropriate
sentence for the teenage defendant. Oconto County Teen Court
is currently made up of 16 high school students (at least
one from each of the five high schools in Oconto County).
The teens will rotate turns serving on the panel. It is
expected that teens will serve on the panel approximately
once a month.
How
Does Teen Court Work?
Cases are presented
in the Oconto County Courthouse in front of the teen tribunal
panel. Everyone in the courtroom take an oath of confidentiality.
The defendant who has admitted guilt is sworn in and questioned
by the teen panel to determine the circumstances of the
offense. After carefully listening to the facts, the teen
panel leaves the courtroom to discuss a constructive sentence
for the defendant. Examples of sentences could include letters
of apology, community service, essays, projects, counseling
or workshops.
Teen
Court Tribunal Panel Members must:
- Be in grades 9-12
- Agree to volunteer for at least one year
- Respect the Oath of Confidentiality
- Demonstrate maturity and sensitivity
- Abide by the Volunteer Guidelines
- Attend training session
Benefits
for Teen Court Panel Members include:
- Experience that stands out on job or college resumes
- Leadership
- Opportunity to interact with other area teens
- Role model opportunities
- Chance to demonstrate the positive contributions of
teens to our community
- Opportunity to learn about the judicial system
How
can I be a Teen Court Panel Member?
- Fill out an application available from your high school
guidance office or call the UW-Extension Office at (920)
834-6846.
- Return your completed application form to: Youth Futures,
UW-Extension, 301 Washington Street, Courthouse, Oconto,
WI 54153-1699. You will be notified within one month of
your application submission.
- Attend a 2-day training session provided by UW-Extension
and Teen Court Planning Committee.
|
Home 
Oconto County Teen Court