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More Information on Youth Court:
Youth Court provides a meaningful court experience for juvenile offenders charged with misdemeanors. It also provides the youth of our community, both offenders and non-offenders alike, to participate in a community service project that directly affects their peers. The intent of Youth Court is to give Teens the opportunity to weight the effects of criminal behavior in the community and to have a voice in determining the community’s response to that behavior. All Youth Court participants deal with issues of the rights and responsibilities of individuals, decision-making in a diverse society and the role of citizens in our system of justice. Youth Court is founded upon the conviction that Teens are capable of thoughtfully and responsibly representing community interests, defending offenders and imposing a fair and just sentence upon their peer. Youth Court is a process by which peer pressure can exert a positive influence on Teen behavior and thereby produce a meaningful and substantial effect upon the Offender.Youth Court offenses concern misdemeanors and do not include weapons, assaults or domestic violence. The juvenile offender must first admit to the offense, as in traditional diversion, but then goes before a jury of students who determine a just and appropriate sentence after a trial. The Jury of students is composed of volunteers who have gone through training as to the Youth Court process, and may include previous offenders who have successfully completed their sentences. Students also are trained to serve as Advocates in the case, both to prosecute and to defend the juvenile offender and to present the case to the jury. Other students serve as Clerks, Bailiffs and in other capacities as needed.
Sitting judges, commissioners or volunteer attorneys from the community serve as Judges and as Mentors for the student advocates. Teachers in the schools of our community coordinate the student volunteers through the Kitsap Juvenile Court.
Students wishing to volunteer to serve in Youth Court may do so through the designated contact person at their school, or may contact the Kitsap Juvenile Court Probation Staff directly. It is anticipated that the schools will foster and encourage student participation through appropriate class projects, independent study programs or other vocational efforts. Volunteer attorneys, teachers and other volunteers train the student Advocates. Jury duty is limited in duration and specific dates and times are assigned in advance.
Parents, victims and others with direct knowledge of the offense and/or the offender may also participate in the process by providing information to the Youth Court Advocates. A trial before the Youth Court results in a sentence imposed by the volunteer students. Failure to comply with the dispositional sentence as imposed will result in the prompt referral of the matter to the Kitsap County Prosecuting Attorney for formal prosecution. The proceedings and results of Youth Court are open to the public, and parents and especially younger members of the community are encouraged to attend and to observe the process.
Youth Courts have been implemented throughout the country and have reported successful outcomes with a reduced level of recidivism as a result of the program. Participants in other youth courts report that the most positive aspects of this program include the learning experience and the opportunity/responsibility to influence the behavior of one of their own peers. Youthful Offenders often better respect the judgments of their peers than those sentences handed down by adults who are perceived as being "out of touch". Offenders obtain a better sense of the wrongfulness of their conduct, and thus have a better chance at changing their behavior in positive manner. This type of restorative justice benefits the entire community, not just the Youthful Offender to be sentenced by his peers.
Contact at Juvenile Department is Dee Dunn, (360-337-5459)
