Teen Court

Tonight several of our home school friends sat in on a session of Teen Court at the Plano Municipal Courthouse.  Teen Court is a voluntary program, which offers young offenders are brought before a jury of their peers.  The offenders have already pled guilty and this is strictly the sentencing phase. 

They are prosecuted, defended and tried in a court room setting by teens.  By volunteering to have their case tried in Teen Court the offender avoids fines and keeps their juvenile record clear.  All of the participants have had special training and work  up thru the ranks of jury and then as a lawyer. 

The offenses are class C misdemeanors and are paid thru community service hours.  Tonight we heard several case of disorderly conduct, theft under $50, criminal mischief and minor in possession.  It was interesting to follow the process. I think it was an eyeopener to the kids that Texas has a zero tolerance policy on alcohol, meaning tonight a young man was sentenced to 24 hours of community service for being in the area where others had alcohol.  The heaviest penalty we saw tonight was a young man sentenced to 60 hours of community service for stealing a $45 pair of shoes from JCPenny's. 

There was no Perry Mason moment where anyone broke down on the stand, but it was amusing as the offenders offered the lame excuses as to why they were in such circumstances.

And let them judge the people at all times.

 Every great matter they shall bring to you,
but any small matter they shall decide themselves.
So it will be easier for you,
and they will bear the burden with you.
Exodus 18:22