Almost five years after the inception of the Oakland County Teen Court Program and Clarkston High School students still receive one of the most dramatic, real-life courtroom experiences of their lives.
Teen Court, administered through the Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office, is a voluntary diversion program for first-time, non-violent juvenile offenders. The purpose is to reduce the number of caseloads in family court and send a message to the defendants that they must take accountability for their actions. The final goal is to rehabilitate and reduce recidivism among the defendants.
‘Teen court is an exciting program for everyone involved,? said Nancy Ellis, prosecuting attorney in charge of the program. ‘We are the only prosecutor-based teen court in the state.?
Teen Court is available to first-time offenders who commit first-time misdemeanor level crimes such as retail fraud, assault and battery, possession of tobacco or another illegal drug, possession of a BB gun, malicious destruction of property, unlawful discharge of a weapon, larceny or curfew violation. Offenders wishing to participate are referred by law enforcement personnel, family court, city attorneys, prosecuting attorneys, parents or school officials.
Once an offender is accepted, the youth can avoid a deliquency record by offering a plea to the charges and appearing before the Teen Court for sentencing.
In Teen Court, all courtroom roles (jury, prosecuting attorney, defense attorney, bailiff and court clerk) are filled by volunteer high school students previously trained by the program coordinator. The judge is an Oakland County attorney also volunteering their time. All of the defendants are from outside the volunteer Teen Court’s school district.
After hearing the case, the teen jury deliberates and returns with a sentencing chosen from a pre-approved list of alternatives such as community service, restitution or service on a future Teen Court jury. Offenders can not receive a jail, boot camp or Children’s Village sentencing.
‘Kids at times more readily accept a message from a peer group than from an adult,? explained Ellis in an e-mail. ‘We want to give a constructive sentence to these defendants so they can learn from their mistakes.?
If an offender does not complete the Teen Court sentencing, their case is returned to the Warrants Division of the Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office.
‘This program gives defendants a second chance, a shot at a clean record,? said Ellis. ‘The students get a real experience in a real courtroom, with a real judge and a real defendant. Everyone benefits from this.?
Several Clarkston High School students recently participated in a case in Judge Dana Fortinberry’s 52-2 District Courtroom.
‘I’ve always had a passion for law and I want to be a lawyer,? said senior Lauren Doski. ‘I saw the opportunity to do this and jumped right on it.
‘I think it’s good for the defendant to hear student opinions. I think it has a positive effect on them.?
‘I enjoy being able to speak to a room where everyone is listening to you,? said senior Lyndsey Kitson. ‘You get to argue and you get to be creative with your writing.?
Doski prosecuted the Oct. 28 while Kitson held down the defense. The two future lawyers could not say enough about the intense courtroom experience.
‘It’s real and you get to have a direct effect on someone’s life,? said Doski. ‘The best part is the on the spot thinking. You get to do a lot and that’s really fun.?
‘This is not like mock trial. You get to go from being a teenage to being a real adult lawyer and handling someone’s future,? said Kitson.
‘Even if your not interested in law at least try this,? Kitson added. ‘Just come see this. It’s an amazing program.?
Teen Court is currently available in 14 high schools and three middle schools across Oakland County. Jurisdictions that have an operating Teen Court continually report less than a 10 percent recidivism rate following completion of the program. Currently, over 700 students are trained to handle cases in eight local district courts and one circuit court.