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.

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

7 Signs You May Need Teen Court Mental Health

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, Miami-Dade County Teen Court is currently holding virtual court sessions on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays at 4 p.m. and are not holding court at its physical locations as noted below. 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

Schools where student court is available

• Alonzo and Tracy Mourning High School
• Brownsville Middle School (Pilot)
• Dr. Michael Krop Senior High School
• Hialeah-Miami Lakes Senior High School
• Hialeah Senior High School
• Law Enforcement Officer's Memorial High School
• Miami Arts Studios 6-12
• Miami Beach Senior High School
• Miami Carol City Senior High School
• Miami Central Senior High School
• Miami Killian Senior High School
• Miami Norland Senior High School
• Miami Northwestern Senior High School
• Miami Southridge Senior High School
• Miami Springs Middle School (Pilot)
• South Dade Senior High School