What is Teen Court?

This unique peer to peer program was designed to ensure that a teen's first encounter with the criminal justice system will be his or her last. Operated through the City Court of Rochester, the Rochester Teen Court is a voluntary alternative to the standard criminal justice system. Teen Court relies on an early intervention strategy for teens caught in anti-social, delinquent or criminal activities. It aims to reduce or prevent future incidences by teaching teenagers new and adaptive behaviors and encouraging healthy attitudes towards rules, authority and, most importantly, themselves. Rochester Teen Court also offers law-related education for young people and stresses the importance of civic responsibility. The goal of this program is to promote accountability, education and service among teens.

How it Operates

Student volunteers between the ages of 15 and 18 must successfully complete an extensive training program. To prepare them for participation in Rochester Teen Court proceedings, the teens take part in a jurors orientation, an in-service training by local judges, commissioner of jurors, prosecutors, defense counsel, law enforcement, program staff, and  "bar exam."

Areas of instruction include:

• The Criminal Justice System

• Jurisdiction

• Operation of Rochester Teen Court

• Penal Law Consequences of Crime

• Sentencing Issues, such as aggravating and mitigating circumstances

• Nature and Type of Evidence, such as admissible and probative

• Participation in Mock Hearings

The teen volunteers then assume a variety of pertinent roles on a rotating basis.

Participants & Proceedings

When a youth age 18 or under admits guilt to a crime or offense,

he or she may elect to participate in Rochester Teen Court in lieu of

traditional criminal sentencing. The youth offender then appears before a court

of his/her peers for a hearing.

Hearings are held after school hours, at

5 PM in the Hall of Justice at 99 Exchange Blvd.
 
ROCHESTER TEEN COURT
Hall of Justice, Room #6
99 Exchange Blvd. Rochester, NY 14614-2199
Program Manager / Cookie Waller
Phone:585-428-4186 / Fax: 585-428-4266