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Kentucky Court of Justice
Scott County students become certified members of Teen Court at swearing-in ceremony
Fifty-six local students who had completed Teen Court training were sworn in as officers of Scott County District Court by District Judge Mary Jane Phelps, who serves Bourbon, Scott and Woodford counties. The swearing-in ceremony was open to the public and took place Nov. 27 at the Scott County Justice Center located at 119 N. Hamilton Street in Georgetown.
Teen Courts operate from September through May to coincide with the school calendar. Judge Phelps oversees the program with active support from Ciruict Judge Robert Johnson, who also serves Bourbon, Scott and Woodford counties.
Kristy Johnson, teacher at Scott County High School, coordinates the Teen Court program for Scott County.
Although a district judge presides over Teen Court, it is operated almost entirely by teenagers, who range in age from 13 to 17. “Teen Court uses peer pressure in a positive way to influence nonviolent juvenile offenders to change behavior,” says Al Starnes, coordinator for Crittenden County Teen Court. “The experience of Teen Court has a profound impact on the juvenile offender and works as an effective deterrent to future commission of juvenile crime.”
Teen Courts began in 1992 as one of many law-related programs offered by the Kentucky Court of Justice through its Department of Juvenile Services. Teen Court has since expanded to 29 sites statewide. More than 19,000 students have participated in the program in the last 13 years.
Teen Courts are made up of student volunteers who have completed five training sessions in courtroom roles such as prosecutors, defense attorneys, court clerks, bailiffs and jurors. All student volunteers take an oath of confidentiality to protect the privacy of the defendants that appear before them. After being found guilty in District Court, the district judge has the option to refer defendants to Teen Court for sentencing. Teen jurors review the facts of the case and hear testimony before recommending a punishment. Often the juvenile defendant will speak on his or her own behalf and apologize for the crime.
Teen Courts have been known to impose stiff penalties of up to 80 hours of community service. More common sentences include lesser amounts of community service, letters of apology, counseling sessions and serving on Teen Court jury duty. Teen Court sentences are legally binding and defendants must complete their sentences within six months or face being sent back to District Court. For more information, contact the Teen Court office at the AOC in Frankfort at 1-800-928-2350 or 502-573-2350.
The Administrative Office of the Courts supports the activities of more than 3,500 Kentucky Court of Justice personnel, including the elected offices of justices, judges and circuit court clerks. The AOC serves as the fiscal agent for the Kentucky Court of Justice and is under the direction of Chief Justice Joseph E. Lambert and Director Melinda Wheeler.
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