Teen Court

Court Procedures

• All Teen Court staff volunteers arrive between 6:00 p.m.-6:15 p.m. on court date.
• The defendant checks in with bailiff by 6:30 p.m. on court date and completes all appropriate paper work for court clerk.
• The defendant must be accompanied by at least one parent. The Teen Court program fee is $20 and is payable in cash or money order to the YMCA Teen Court Director on the court date.
• The defendant goes before the Teen Court officials – jury, prosecuting attorney, defense attorney, bailiff and court clerk, who are all teenagers.
• The YMCA Teen Court Director and Judge Edna Staudt oversee the entire hearing.
• When the jury reaches a decision, the defendant, along with parent(s) returns before the Teen Court to hear sentencing.
• The defendant and parent(s) meet with the Teen Court Director to discuss terms set forth by the jury.
• Upon completion of the program, within a 180-day window, the Williamson County / YMCA Teen Court delivers a Certificate of Completion to the defendant.
• Non-Compliance with Teen Court requirements or time frame will result in removal from the program and the fine set by the referring court will be due and payable.

CONDUCT & ATTIRE (applies to everyone in court)

Participants are required to show respect for the court proceedings at all times. Rise when the judge enters the courtroom and remain standing until the judge or bailiff announces to be seated. Address the court as judge or your honor. Address the opposing parties, counsel, witnesses and court officers as Mr., Mrs., Miss, etc. Do not use first names. Do not talk at the same time as the court, opposing counsel or witnesses. Racist, sexist, obscene, profane language or gestures are prohibited. Do not enter and depart the courtroom excessively. Do nothing to disturb or distract the court, jury, counsels, witnesses or other court personnel. Cellular phones and pagers must be turned to silent mode or turned off. Do not chew gum in the courtroom. No weapons are allowed in the courtroom. Additionally, defendants and participants are expected to be on time and to dress according to the courts standards. Appropriate dress and behavior from teens and adults are expected at all times.

Acceptable Courtroom Attire:

Suits, slacks, dresses and dress shirts.

Unacceptable Courtroom Attire:

Shorts or cut-offs, muscle shirts, clothing with offensive, vulgar, racist, sexist, obscene or suggestive depictions. Clothing that is torn or ragged. Provocative clothing designed or styled to provoke emotion or disrupt.
Stomachs may not be exposed. No hats or flip flops are allowed.

The Williamson County / YMCA Teen Court reserves the right to remove anyone from the courtroom who does not comply with these rules of Conduct and Attire.

REASONS FOR USING THE WILLIAMSON COUNTY / YMCA TEEN COURT

For the Individual Teenager:

• Prevents possible loss of driver's license.
• Prevents Class “C” misdemeanor record.
• Prevents loss of employment and other opportunities.
• Provides social and educational activities.
• Contributes to improved grades and school attendance.
• Creates better communication among parents, school, and law.
• Reduces embarrassment, shame, and abuses of the law.
• Develops self-worth and leadership qualities.
• Allows participation in counseling and educational seminars.

For the Family:

• Creates better understanding between teen and others.
• Reduces friction between teenager and others.
• Prevents increase in family car insurance rates.
• Prevents assessment of fines.
• Contributes to a happier family life because of improved teen behavior.

For the School:

• Contributes to improved school attendance.
• Reduces loss of funding due to truancy.
• Contributes to a better quality student.
• Contributes to a safe and nurturing school environment.
• Provides positive roles for teens that are struggling.

For the Community:

• Contributes to lower car insurance rates.
• Contributes to reduction in crime on streets.
• Discourages repeat offenders of crime.
• Contributes to reduction in crime statistics.
• Contributes to reduction of long-term need for more jails.
• Contributes to reduction in juvenile delinquency.

For the Courts:

• Reduces backlogs.
• Reduces court time.
• Reduces appeals.
• Reduces trial time of cases.
• Reduces need to subpoena officers and witnesses.
• Provides procedure for referrals.
• Requires completion of program within 90 days.
• Allows assessment of fees for court costs.
• Limits a teen's appearances to teen court to one.

DISCIPLINE GRID

CLASS 1 (6-18 hours & 1 Jury Term )

Includes, but not limited to:
Defective lights/equipment violations
No seat belt/no helmet
Following too closely
No turn signal/improper turn
Speeding 1-10 mph over posted speed

CLASS 2 (10-22 hours & 1-2 Jury Terms)

Includes, but not limited to:
Driver license violations
Failure to yield right-of-way
Failure to stop at red light/stop sign
Unsafe lane change/unsafe speed
Speeding 11-20 mph over posted speed
Disregard traffic control device
Exhibition of Acceleration
Littering
Disorderly Conduct – Language

CLASS 3 (15-30 hours & 1-2 Jury Terms and/or Driving Safety Class )

Includes, but not limited to:
Speeding 21-25 mph over posted speed
Speeding – School zone 1-10 mph over
Failure to maintain financial responsibility
Failure to identify
Curfew Violation
Fail to Control Speed

CLASS 4 (25-50 hours & 1-2 Jury Terms and/or Driving Safety Class, Anger Management Class, Alcohol Awareness Class )

Includes, but not limited to:
Driving without a valid License
Speeding >26 mph over posted speed
Speeding – School zone >11 mph over posted speed
Leaving scene of accident
Criminal Mischief
Theft
Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
Minor in possession of Alcohol
Minor in consumption of alcohol
Fleeing an Officer