Teen Court offers peer-based criminal justice system
Teen Court is peer-based criminal justice system for teens under 18 years old charged with non-violent, first-time municipal offenses. Peer panels are held at the Castle Rock Municipal Court, located at 100 Perry Street in downtown Castle Rock. There is also a Teen Court program in Lone Tree.
Local teens are sitting on both sides of the table at Teen Court, a peer-to-peer criminal justice system for teens under 18 years old charged with non-violent, first-time municipal offenses. The program is restorative in nature with the goal of preventing future offenses.
Teen Court has positive benefits for everyone involved. According to Alex Ausmus, the Teen Court coordinator for the Town of Castle Rock, youth volunteers are introduced to the criminal justice system in a positive way, while simultaneously gaining experience as an active participant. On the flip side, the juvenile offenders, called “respondents” in Teen Court, take responsibility for actions and engage in a restorative process including attempts to repair any harm caused.
“Juvenile offenders must be willing to accept responsibility for the fact that they committed a crime, participate in the Teen Court peer panel truthfully, honestly and to the best of their ability––with parents who support and participate in the process as well,” shared Alex.
All cases are screened for eligibility. Examples of offenses that might be tried in Teen Court at the Castle Rock Municipal Court include theft, trespassing and minor in possession of alcohol, tobacco or marijuana.
According to Alex, Teen Court is full of dedicated students who devote valuable time to help peers who have made a mistake find a better way forward. If the Teen Court sentence, provided by the Teen Court peer panel, is completed and no new criminal violations occur during the period of the Teen Court sentence supervision, the case will be dismissed and the record will be expunged.
“Teen Court provides juvenile respondents with an opportunity to make amends for their decisions, take responsibility for their crime, and ultimately develop the skills necessary to not let this isolated instance impact them in the future,” concluded Alex.
To learn more about the Town of Castle Rock’s Teen Court, including the application process to become a volunteer, visit crgov.com and search “Teen Court.”
The City of Lone Tree also maintains a Teen Court program. Learn more about that program at cityoflonetree.com.
Article and photo by Elean Gersack
