TEENS WORKING TOGETHER TO CREATE A BETTER COMMUNITY

Teen Court is a collaborative effort between the Pennington county State's Attorney, the 7th Judicial Circuit Court and The Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention.  Juvenile offenders, ages 12 - 17, are referred to Teen Court by the State's Attorneys as an alternative to the formal juvenile justice system.

Teen Court is a sentencing hearing where offenders' cases are presented to a jury of their peers by teen volunteer attorneys.  The peer jury then decides a constructive disposition based on the mitigating and aggravating circumstances of the case.

Teen Court is a "second chance" for those youths who have made a poor choice(s) and have little or no previous criminal history.  Hopefully, after the Teen Court experience, the youth will stay free of the criminal court system.

Upon successful completion of the program,
offenders' cases will not be formally charged.