““All of the fruits of All of the fruits of tomorrow are in the tomorrow are in the seeds of todayseeds of today. “. “AnonymousAnonymous

What What happens happens when a when a young young person person

makes a makes a mistake? mistake?

Do they learn from it?Do they learn from it?

How do they learn?How do they learn?

Who are their Who are their teachers?teachers?

There are over 1,200 youth There are over 1,200 youth courts in 49 states and the courts in 49 states and the

District of ColumbiaDistrict of Columbia

Davidson County: 2010/2011

Sullivan County: 2001Sullivan County: 2001

Sumner County: 2001

Haywood County: 2002

Montgomery County: 2002

Wilson County: 2003

Warren County: 2006Madison County: 2005/2011

Williamson County: 2004

Lake County: 2005

Crockett County: 2007Jefferson County: 2003

Jackson County: 2003

Cumberland County: 2006Tipton County: 2011

Shelby County: 2010

These are the Tennessee Youth Court Programs

Restorative Restorative Justice Justice Through Through

Youth CourtsYouth Courts

AccountabilityAccountability

Competency Competency developmentdevelopment

Community safetyCommunity safety

Over 1100 cases – Over 1100 cases – only 8% recidivism only 8% recidivism

Youth Courts have savedYouth Courts have saved the State of Tennessee the State of Tennessee

nearlynearly

$1 Million$1 Million“… we live in an age where everyday… we are turning on the TV and … the age where people are getting in trouble is younger and younger

and younger. … Teen Court is helping that to stop.”

— Darian B.

Memphis Commercial Appeal Memphis Commercial Appeal - - Photo by Mike Maple Photo by Mike Maple

Peer justice program lets teens judge other kids at Shelby County Juvenile Peer justice program lets teens judge other kids at Shelby County Juvenile Court Court

Juvenile Court is launching a Youth Court in which other kids sit in judgment of Juvenile Court is launching a Youth Court in which other kids sit in judgment of defendants…. In a mock trial, "witness" Malondria Hooker (left) is sworn-in by "bailiff" defendants…. In a mock trial, "witness" Malondria Hooker (left) is sworn-in by "bailiff" Boaz Mouton. Both are Cordova High students. Kathryn King portrays the judgeBoaz Mouton. Both are Cordova High students. Kathryn King portrays the judge. .

East Palo Alto

The fact that it [Youth The fact that it [Youth Court] is one of the few Court] is one of the few places teenagers can places teenagers can come and be treated like come and be treated like adults. It helps break adults. It helps break down the stereotype that down the stereotype that all teenagers are up to no all teenagers are up to no good. good. —Megan B.—Megan B.

……lawyers have a really lawyers have a really bad stigma. But I realized bad stigma. But I realized when I got into Teen Court when I got into Teen Court that if you practice the that if you practice the right kind of law you really right kind of law you really can make a difference. can make a difference. — — Darian B.Darian B.

[We are] getting the [We are] getting the opportunity to help change opportunity to help change someone’s life in a positive someone’s life in a positive way. way. — Sara Grace E. — Sara Grace E.

“ “It is today It is today that we that we create create

the world of the world of the future.”the future.”

Eleanor Eleanor RooseveltRoosevelt

““To see To see things in the things in the

seed, seed, that is that is

genius.”genius.”Lao TsuLao Tsu

We are the future and We are the future and by helping us then we by helping us then we can make a better can make a better future for ourselves. future for ourselves. — — Kayla M. Kayla M.

It [Teen Court] is an It [Teen Court] is an opportunity for the opportunity for the young people who are young people who are involved in it to involved in it to actually have a voice in actually have a voice in the juvenile justice the juvenile justice system – have a voice system – have a voice in the justice system in the justice system period. period. — Referee — Referee David HowardDavid Howard

Additional BenefitsAdditional Benefits

Build an effective citizenryBuild an effective citizenry

Build civic engagementBuild civic engagement

Provide positive interaction with peers and Provide positive interaction with peers and adultsadults

Educate youth about the role of law in our Educate youth about the role of law in our democracy and their role as active citizensdemocracy and their role as active citizens

Provide an opportunity for students to make Provide an opportunity for students to make a real difference in their communitiesa real difference in their communities

Show benefits of volunteeringShow benefits of volunteering

Additional BenefitsAdditional Benefits

Develop greater connectedness to Develop greater connectedness to communitycommunity

Encourage critical thinking and persuasionEncourage critical thinking and persuasion

Provide positive role models and mentorsProvide positive role models and mentors

Enhance problem solving and mediationEnhance problem solving and mediation

Develop service learningDevelop service learning

Encourage leadershipEncourage leadership

It has taught me about It has taught me about the judicial system and the judicial system and how it affects our how it affects our everyday life. everyday life. — Emily C.— Emily C.

It’s changed my entire It’s changed my entire perception of the perception of the justice system … Teen justice system … Teen Court really helps Court really helps people. It’s made me people. It’s made me grow as a person. grow as a person. — Darian B.— Darian B.

Contact Contact InformationInformation

Denise D. BentleyDenise D. BentleyStatewide Youth Statewide Youth Court CoordinatorCourt Coordinator

Tennessee Bar Tennessee Bar CenterCenter221 Fourth Ave. 221 Fourth Ave. North, Suite 400North, Suite 400Nashville, TN 37219Nashville, TN 37219(615) 277-3207(615) 277-3207

dbentley@tnbar.org

Tennessee Youth Courts is an initiative of the Tennessee Bar Association.

This project is funded under an agreement with the State of Tennessee.