Due to social distancing requirements resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic and now the surge from the Delta variant, Miami-Dade County Teen Court is currently holding virtual court sessions on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays at 5 p.m. now that is school is back in session and will not resume in-person sessions at its physical locations until further notice. Please contact Miami-Dade County Teen Court via [email protected] for more information about the virtual court sessions.
Miami-Dade County Teen Court is more than just a second chances juvenile justice program. It Is youth empowerment, leadership development, civic engagement, and career exposure. The program’s mission is to change the lives of young people by advocating and creating opportunities for youth to develop into responsible citizens. Miami-Dade Teen Court is part of a national network of teen and peer courts and the largest chapter in the state.
Over the past 23 years, Teen Court has provided more than 7,800 youth an opportunity to correct their wrongs as well as an opportunity to be exposed to new career pathways for an up close and personal experience that otherwise could not be afforded to them. The opportunity afforded by Teen Court has produced many success stories including former participants that are now attorneys and career professionals.
Youth facing a misdemeanor charge or minor offense are typically referred to Teen Court by a referring agency such as the Juvenile Services Department. The hope is that instead of getting a blemish on their record, Teen Court would instead give the teen a second chance by allowing them to be tried in a court of their peers - other youth who also act as jurors and attorneys under the guidance of professional judges and attorneys. The outcome is usually an alternate sanction, such as a letter of apology, counseling sessions, or community service hours, among other possible sanctions.
Teen Court is not just for teens with misdemeanors. The program is also for other teens who want to volunteer, earn community service hours, and learn about the legal system. Many teens volunteer because they have aspirations of a career in the judicial system or may be uncertain about their future career goals. So they come to Teen Court for a chance to experience all parts of the legal system from defense or prosecuting attorney to juror, clerk and/or as a bailiff.
Additional services of Teen Court include the Youth Intern Partnership Initiative (YIPI), entrepreneurship workshops, mental health services, family counseling and so much more.
Reduces recidivism to less than 3 percent
Offers relief to the local justice system
Develops responsible and knowledgeable civically-engaged citizens
Provides ongoing learning and growth opportunities which impact all residents
Encourages collaboration partnerships between youth and the local police department
Mental Health Services Teen Court offers mental health services that promote physical and emotional development among youth. These resources allow young people to:
Learn more about themselves
Receive evidence-based assessment and treatment to equip them with necessary life skills
Share experiences with others in a group and individual setting
Connect with subject matter experts
Address negative thoughts and emotions in an accepting environment
Gain knowledge that will prove invaluable in the future
Family Empowerment Session Strengthens families impacted by youth delinquency. These sessions cover effective problem-solving methods and family dynamic education.
Individual Youth Counseling Helps youth overcome issues related to peer pressure, substance abuse, conflict management, anxiety depression and other common adolescent adjustments.
Parent Involvement Workshop Assists parents or guardians with understanding adolescent adjustment issues with other caregivers experiencing similar disconnect with their children. The workshop addresses parental stress, improving parenting skills, communication, and parent-child relationships.
Anger Management Sessions include assessment and evaluation of the youth's anger and personal control. Participants needing this intervention must take a minimum of five sessions of counseling in order to receive credit for completion.
Workshops Parents or participants are encouraged to attend workshops to expose them to educational experiences through weekly and monthly workshops and counseling sessions. The following workshops are provided.
Ethics This course focuses on the importance of ethical behavior at school, home, and in the workplace. This course is mandatory for all Teen Court participants.
Jail Tours and Boot Camps These mandatory tours facilitated by Miami-Dade County Corrections and Rehabilitation Department give Teen Court participants an opportunity to see real life behind bars.
Law-Related Education Training Teen Court volunteers interested in serving the court as youth attorneys receive training and are exposed to legal concepts and procedures utilized by Miami-Dade County Teen Court.
Money and Banking Provides participants with the basics of money management.
Retail Theft Prevention This workshop is designed specifically for youthful offenders charged with retail/petit theft. Participants discuss the impact that theft has had on business and consumers.
Substance Abuse Preventative Workshop Group sessions covering aspects of substance abuse including the effect on the individual, the families, and the long-term cost to society.
Learn how to get a second chance after making a mistake.
For teens who have gotten in trouble with a minor offense and facing a misdemeanor charge, Teen Court’s goal is to provide you with a second chance so that you avoid getting a record and also avoid the juvenile justice system. You can either be referred by a referring agency like the Juvenile Services Department, a local police department, or another community-based organization.
Once you’re referred, other teens volunteer to serve as jury, defense and attorney and will make a recommendation based on the type of offense that has been committed. After listening to arguments from both sides and jury deliberations, a judge will decide which sanction he or she will serve.
In addition to receiving a second chance, Teen Court participants who benefit from other services include educational workshops, entrepreneurship programming, mental health counseling, community service and more.
Possible alternative sanctions include:
Serve on a jury
Attend educational workshops
Participate in jail tours
Community service hours
Compose and present essays
Any of these offenses are eligible for Teen Court
Petit theft
Possession of marijuana
Disorderly conduct
Grand theft auto
Parent/school referrals
Trespassing
Third-degree felony
Truancy
Teen Court volunteers can help make a big difference in the lives of young people who need a second chance after making a mistake. Teen Court is a great opportunity for middle and high School students to engage in a program that will allow them to earn community service and explore a career field they wouldn’t ordinarily have access to, as well as engage with lifelong mentors in that field. Many Teen Court volunteers have even gone on to pursue legal careers as attorneys.
Volunteering as an adult is a fulfilling experience as an advocate for your own community and becoming a mentor to the youth. Volunteer judges and attorneys help to train the young men and women who come through the program. Teen Court could not be successful without the volunteers – both adults and youth – and the partners who believe in second chances.
The following requirements are needed to be eligible to be a volunteer.
Youth volunteers
Must be in middle or high school
Get a jump start on legal and criminal justice careers
Improve leadership skills
Experience positive peer pressure interaction
Can volunteer for four, eight or 12 months
Can be bailiffs, court clerks, jurors, defense attorneys or prosecuting attorneys
Adult volunteers
Must be 18 years of age or older
Have the opportunity to serve in the community
Serve as mentors to Miami-Dade's youth
Help cultivate a new generation of legal professionals while having a positive impact on young people who make poor choices
Are asked to volunteer at least four times per year
Can be court monitors, mentors, attorneys, judges and more
Teen Court is more than just your average volunteering program and will enhance various leadership skills while leaving an impact on someone’s future. Whether you’re a Youth or Adult Volunteer there are many benefits to this program.
All volunteers are trained by members of the local Bar association and court personnel.
Teen Court Attorney Training: opening statement & question development
Training and Mock Trial Experience
Teen Court provides a meaningful forum for youth to practice and enhance their leadership skills
Participate as a defense or prosecuting attorney, juror, clerk, and bailiff
Develop confidence and strengthen public speaking skills
Gain beneficial hands on experience with the actual courtroom procedures
Pursue interest in careers associated with law enforcement and judicial system
Obtain community service credit for high school graduation
Prepare for your future in a Legal Career
Enhance your Public Speaking Skills
Earn community service hours for your upcoming school year
Meet Teens from other high schools
Gain exposure to careers in law and law enforcement
Network with local Judges and practicing attorneys
Get a sneak peak of College life
Get a jump start on legal and criminal justice careers
Experience positive peer pressure interaction
Inspire and mentor other teens
Can continue to volunteer until high school graduation
Learn respect for confidentiality
Development of objectivity
Respect for the rights of others
Development of personal values
Understanding and respect for societal values
Acceptance of responsibility as a member of community
An appreciation and respect for the justice processes and system
Due to social distancing requirements resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic and now the surge from the Delta variant, Miami-Dade County Teen Court is currently holding virtual court sessions on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays at 5 p.m. now that is school is back in session and will not resume in-person sessions at its physical locations until further notice. Please contact Miami-Dade County Teen Court via [email protected] for more information about the virtual court sessions.
Mondays at 6 p.m. Richard Gerstein Justice Building 1351 NW 12th Street, Court Room 1-5 Miami, FL 33125
Tuesdays at 6 p.m. South Dade Government Center 10710 SW 211th Street, Court Room 2-2 Cutler Bay, FL 33189
Wednesdays at 6 p.m. North Dade Justice Center 15555 Biscayne Blvd., Court Room 207 Miami, FL 33160
First Thursday of Every Month at 5 p.m. Miami Gardens City Hall 18605 NW 27th Avenue, Commission Chamber Miami Gardens, FL 33056
Second, Third and Fourth Thursday at 6 p.m. Hialeah City Hall 501 Palm Avenue, Commission Chamber Hialeah, FL 3310
The Student Court program is designed to
Help empower youth
Provide an avenue to reduce time spent out of school due to low-level infractions
Address safety issues
Create a positive learning environment
Help students become well-educated, civically-engaged citizens
Promote positive peer pressure
Foster character building
Encourage critical thinking, problem solving-decision making and other positive leadership skills among students
Other benefits include
Improved school safety
Discipline options for administration
Reduces student continuous involvement in school-rule violations
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