Teen Court is an innovative program that intervenes after a young person is arrested for their first misdemeanor. The program is only available once, as offenders cannot go through Teen Court for a second or other subsequent offenses. This early intervention is designed to help change the path for at-risk youth, getting them involved in more positive activities. The process for an offender includes:
- 1 Arrest by either the school police or Lawton Police Department
- 2 Intake at the juvenile bureau
- 3 Written confession
- 4 Opt-in for Teen Court, which includes waiving confidentiality and getting parental permission. There are no fees or costs associated with the program
- 5 Sign-off from the juvenile DA
- 6 Summons to appear in Teen Court
- 7 Hearing before a jury of peers, after which the volunteers will convene for sentencing
- 8 Meeting with the Director of Teen Court, the offender, and the offender’s parents to hear the sentence
The offender must complete their sentence within 90 days of sentencing. Defendants must also participate in the Turning Point course and return to Teen Court to serve as a juror. Turning Point is an 18-hour educational course that explores topics like conflict resolution, faulty thinking, and the dangers of drugs and alcohol. These classes are designed to give offenders the skills and information they need to effectively change their behaviors in the future. By serving on the Teen Court jury, prior offenders have the opportunity to join an active volunteer community that’s dedicated to promoting positive change among their peers.