MISSION STATEMENT Introduce area youth to activities and services that promote feelings of self-esteem and self-improvement when they develop a healthy attitude toward authority. All organizational activities instill and teach the benefits of law abiding citizenship and civic engagement. VISION Our vision is to instill self-esteem in youth by introducing them to the positive benefits of law-abiding citizenship. HISTORY In 1986 the Sarasota Chapter of the League of Women Voters approached the Junior League of Sarasota, Inc. with concerns that the community was experiencing an increase in juvenile crime. An innovative youth jury program operating in Grand Prairie and Odessa, Texas was meeting with great success through the use of diversion programs for juvenile offenders and by providing opportunities for civic engagement for student volunteers. Local community leaders and judicial officers determined that the concept could have a positive impact on the youth of Sarasota County. Teen Court of Sarasota, Inc., a 501 (c)(3) organization, was incorporated in 1988 and the first Teen Court hearings were held in December, 1988. In 1995, the Florida Association of Teen Courts, Inc. was founded. In 1996, F.S.S. 938.19 was adopted by the Florida Legislature, providing for the collection of a fee on certain traffic tickets and court costs as a funding source for Teen Courts. By 2011, 52 Florida counties had an active Teen Court program based on the Sarasota model. Over the years, new programs have been added. Peer Circle Counseling began in 1989 and provides teens with an opportunity to discuss issues of concern in a peer setting. CAMP X-RAYD was established in 2002 to help youth understand the negative effects of drugs and alcohol with educational and reality components throughout learning experience. In 2011, seeing an increase in bullying and battery cases, the staff implemented CO-OP, a counseling service that helps teens learn how to interact with others in a positive way. INTAKE Teen Court receives case referrals from the Sarasota County Sheriff’s office, the Department of Juvenile Justice, Juvenile Court, Traffic Court, area schools, and parents. After receiving a referral, Teen Court staff schedules an appointment with the teen and his or her parent/caregiver to begin the process. During the initial intake meeting, Teen Court staff, working with the teen and parent/ caregiver, identifies and assesses the teen’s current situation, issues, and needs. Staff determines the most appropriate and effective means of helping the teen and provides the teen with information about the process, and what to expect. As part of the assessment, a drug test is administered. COURT NIGHT DEFENDANTS The defendant appears in a Sarasota County courthouse in either Sarasota or South County and the case is presented before a judge and jury. The judge in Teen Court is an adult from the law community, a lawyer, judge, or law enforcement officer. The jury in Teen Court consists of juveniles, both former defendants and teen volunteers from the community. One or more Teen Attorneys interview the defendant and act as the defense attorneys in the proceeding. The State of Florida is represented by volunteer teen attorneys. The defense attorneys and prosecuting attorneys each give an opening statement and the defendant is then sworn in and asked questions about the incident. Each side then gives a closing statement which includes a summary of the case and a recommendation by the attorneys of what they think the sentence should be. The Teen Jury discusses the case and decides what the constructive sentence will be. The verdict is read in the courtroom in front of the defendant and family. The teen and family meet with the case manager, review next steps, and sign a contract detailing the youth’s responsibilities with the program. VOLUNTEERS Teen volunteers serve as Clerks, Bailiffs, Jury Members, and Attorneys on Court Night. Before court starts, teen attorneys review all the cases that will be heard and assign a rating to the case that reflects the seriousness of the offense. These ratings provide sentencing guidelines to the jurors. Jurors are assigned to jury pools that hear the cases and determine the sentence. Bailiffs and Clerks assist the judge during the hearing. COMPLETION Successful completion of Teen Court means completing the constructive sentence which may include community service hours, jury duty, attendance at Camp X-RAYD, counseling, and special instructions like essays and written apologies. The specific sentence is outlined in the individual youth contract. Upon completion, the charge(s) are dismissed, and there is no record of a conviction for the charge(s). SERVICES LIST Teen Court Sessions: Teen Court sessions take place in South County and Sarasota, every other week, on Mondays and Wednesdays, respectively. The Teen Court process is much like regular court, except instead of determining and innocent or guilty verdict, juvenile respondents have already accepted responsibility and are given a verdict of meaningful consequences. All participating members of a Teen Court session are youth from our community. Students serve as prosecuting and defending attorneys, clerks, bailiffs, and jurors. An adult volunteer judge, usually a local judge or attorney, presides over each courtroom. After the defendant is questioned by both attorneys, the jury deliberates and returns with a constructive sentence. Sentencing may include up to 50 community service hours, up to 6 jury duties, Peer Circle sessions, drug testing, and letters of apology, essay or reports. Camp X-RAYD- Examine Reality About Your Decisions: Collaborations between Teen Court of Sarasota, Inc., Sarasota County Medical Examiner, Sarasota Memorial Hospital, Salvation Army and Sarasota Police Department the services have proven to reduce substance abuse and reduce further juvenile crime among Sarasota County youth. Camp X-RAYD was developed to work with youth exhibiting out of control behaviors in their homes and community, as well as those young people involved in using illegal substances. While participating in CAMP X-R.A.Y.D. the youth will: Participate in Physical Training led by SPD LEO instructors to emphasize self-discipline, integrity, personal fitness, team building exercises. Fun to be fit mentality. Tour of the Morgue Tour of the E.R. Tour of the Salvation Army and VIPERS program Integrity Building & Goal Setting Segment Parent of youth that died of accidental overdose shares story Parents & youth will complete (3) 90 minute Drug Education classes as scheduled over the four consecutive weeks following the 9 hour Saturday Substance Abuse Education Class: Substance use, abuse, and addiction prevent completion of educational goals, acceptance into institutes of higher learning, and many career opportunities. Our Substance Abuse Education Program prioritizes practical knowledge and field research into the pharmacology, psychological impacts, and physiological effects of substances. Family and interpersonal communication skills are reinforced. Problem solving activities tackle anger management and self-esteem challenges. Random confidential drug screening prepares juveniles for marketplace realities and emphasizes the importance of making appropriate life choices with a clear mind. Parents acquire the skills needed to discuss substance abuse and drug culture with their children. Risky Behavior Classes Sexting, Bullying & Emotional Response: According to the National Center for Education Statistics and Bureau of Justice Statistics, nationwide, about 21% of students ages 12-18 experience bullying. Feelings and corresponding actions can either lead to risky behaviors or become the reaction to them. As a parent during the digital age, it can be difficult to enforce boundaries and stay on top of everything your kids are doing, but if you're footing the bill, it is well within your right to ask your children what they are doing and play your part to help protect them. That is where education and accountability come into play. The Risky Behaviors Program will allow discussion of the relationship among each of the above concerns as families are currently experiencing one or all of them, or may confront them in the future. Mandatory guardian in attendance with youth for these classes. Law-Related Education: Student volunteers who participate in Teen Court sessions receive law-related education in several ways. As active jury members, student volunteers learn the court process through experience. As teen attorneys, student volunteers receive a teen attorney training facilitated by local attorneys. Adult volunteer judges often provide mentoring to the teen attorneys following the conclusion of a teen court session. The opportunity for youth in our community to practice public speaking while giving opening and closing statements, analytical thinking while preparing witness questioning, as well as knowledge of proper courtroom procedure, is invaluable to their lives and often shapes their future trajectory regarding secondary schooling and career. There are countless former teen attorneys who are practicing law all over the country. Individual Counseling/ Family Counseling: For teens who are struggling with issues like depression, anxiety, emotional trauma, etc. we offer private counseling sessions with a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC). These sessions can be offered free of charge, in both North and South County. Drug Test: Parent or school can request drug test.