Teen Court Volunteer Application Eligibility and Service Requirements
Teens in 8th to 12th grade are eligible to submit a Mecklenburg County Teen Court Volunteer Application. Following teen jury training we ask all teens to serve, at a minimum, six Teen Court nights within a year of being trained.
Mecklenburg County Teen Court
The Teen Court Program provides an alternative justice system for teens. It is designed to provide juveniles with no previous convictions a second chance when they admit their guilt, agree to be tried by a jury of their peers, and take responsibility for their actions. Successful program completion allows the offender to avoid being processed further in the juvenile court system. Teens are trained by our member volunteers to be attorneys and jurors. Teens practice what they’ve learned in an actual courtroom setting.
Benefits of Teen Court
- Juveniles, as well as volunteer teens, learn to take responsibility for their actions.
- Upon completion of Teen Court, the Juvenile’s case is closed with no further legal action.
- Teen volunteers and Juveniles have an opportunity to learn good citizenship through the experience of community service.
- Teens gain understanding by participating in the judicial process.
- The likelihood of future delinquent behavior is reduced.
- Teens are helping teens — through positive peer influence, accountability and empowerment to effect change within their own generation.
Mecklenburg County Teen Court Upcoming Dates
Tuesdays 5:15 – 8:15 PM
January 7
January 21
February 4
February 18
SAFETY NOTE FOR PARENTS & TEEN VOLUNTEERS
DO NOT drop off or pick up your teens along 4th street. For safety reasons, the Sheriff’s Department and Teen Court are requesting that you drive INTO the circular drive to pick up and drop off for Teen Court.
It is getting darker earlier, the jail is across the street with individuals being released at all hours. The Sheriff’s Department has insisted on us having parents use the circular drive. There is no one supervising your child outside of the courthouse.
