Miami-Dade County Teen Court

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.

Life Skills Workshops

Core Life Skills Workshops are required for all youth referred to Teen Court. These workshops include: 

• Anti-Theft
• Conflict Resolution
• Ethics
• Victims Awareness
• Sustance Abuse

Teen Court Locations:

• Tuesdays at 5:15 p.m.
  South Dade Government Center
  10710 SW 211th Street, Court Room 2-2
  Cutler Bay, FL 33186
• 1st and 3rd Wednesdays at 5:15 p.m.
  Miami Gardens City Hall
  18605 NW 27th Avenue, Commission Chamber
  Miami Gardens, FL 33056
• 2nd and 4th Wednesdays at 5:15 p.m.
  North Dade Justic Center
  15555 Biscyane Boulevard, Court Room 207
  Miami, FL 33160
• Thursdays at 5:15 p.m.
  Richard Gerstein Justice Building
  1351 NW 12th Street, Court Room 1-3
  Miami, FL 33125
  
  

The Youth Services Division exposes youth participants to high-paying and emerging industries through workshops, conferences, and professional opportunities. 

Youth Services cultivates an enriching experience that includes:

• Engagements with experts from targeted industries
• Field trips to employers in emerging vocations
• Job shadowing opportunities
• Professional development curated in partnership with trade associations and professional organizations
• Community service and experiential opportunities in relevant industries and occupations
• Mock interviews, resume writing workshops and internships

The Division recently partnered with Mayor Levin Cava's Fit2Lead program to connect program participants with local enterprises to facilitate meaningful professional experiences. Students acquire first-hand professional experience, inspiration to complete their studies, and transition to the next phase of their lives.

Employer engagement takes place in the following ways:

• Assist in the training of students through internships, mentoring and career awareness activities
• Provide input and feedback regarding curriculum and instruction to help students develop the skill sets 
  necessary for participants to achieve competency in various career areas
• Provide dedicated employees to meet with students to discuss career opportunities, demonstrate work processes and share experiences using relevant technology and applying work-related techniques.
• Invite leading employees to give testimonials regarding their experiences to motivate students to pursue various career pathways

Youth Services incorporates Teen Success Coaching throughout its programming. Young people can take advantage of vocational and mental health support from dedicated staffers. Success Coaching also includes a curriculum targeting job readiness and connectivity.

Success Coaching programming includes the following training workshops:

• Employability skills
• Interviewing Skills
• Soft Skills
• Communication Skills
• Interpersonal Skills
• Resume Preparation Skills

MDEAT’s Youth Development Division provides curricula, character development, psychoeducation and related services that support the program goals and lead to improved performance in self-efficacy, academic achievement, career readiness, pro-social behaviors and decision-making.

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

Read the 7 Signs You May Need Teen Court Mental Health

• 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

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

Youth Development Division volunteers significantly impact the lives of youth residing in Miami-Dade County. Through its service programs like Teen Court, Career Pathways and mental health, volunteerism creates excellent opportunities for youth participants and adults to develop effective relationships, earn community service hours and explore fulfilling career fields.

Youth and adult volunteers are critical to our success.

Volunteers create a legacy, enhance our community, and cultivate the next generation of community leaders.

Volunteer requirements are as follows:

Youth volunteers:

• Must be in middle or high school
• Engage in positive peer pressure interaction
• Volunteer for a minimum of four months

Adult volunteers:

• Must be 18 years of age or older
• Demonstrate an ability to impact young people positively
• Available to volunteer at least four times per year
• Judges must be in good standing with the Florida Bar Association

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

Miami-Dade Economic Advocacy Trust (MDEAT) partnered with Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS) to offer Student Court. This collaborative initiative is a student-powered, peer-sanctioning process that provides an alternative to indoor and outdoor suspension. Student Court helps schools develop a culture of positive behavior and respect for the established School Rules.

In articulating a vision for school discipline, MDEAT offers suggestions and findings that support restoration of healthy interactions; helping participants learn from their mistakes; development of new opportunities for adults working with students to listen to students’ sides of the story; and implementing effective responses to reduce misbehavior.

Student Court provides:

• Curricula
• Character Development
• Law Education and 
• Related services that support improved performance in the areas of academic achievement, attendance and discpline

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