From NJ
This is the recollection of an offender whose case had been processed through Teen Court and was court ordered to attend Turning Point classes.
“I was angry, all the time, at everyone. When I got in trouble for fighting, for defending myself, I got super angry. Why is it wrong to defend myself and why am I in trouble for it? I went to court with the worst attitude. I was mad when they read my sentence, I just wanted to cry. I was sure the jury would understand why I did what I did. The judge talked to me for a while, I think he could tell I was going to cry. He asked me if I understood the sentence and why I was sentenced to jury duty, classes, and an essay. I told him yes, but I really didn’t. He just seemed to know I didn’t. So he explained it anyway. As he was talking, I thought this guy has the gentlest voice and I wished my parents talked to me like that. I just wanted to hug the guy, but thought that would be weird. Don’t get me wrong, I was still pissed that I was there, but I liked the guy a lot. I felt more calm when I left court. I got pretty nervous when I showed up for my first class. I didn’t know what to expect. Were they going to spend the whole time telling how much I messed up, were they going to yell at me? Would they even ask my side of the story or just think they know best because they are adults? I walked into class, a guy named Dallas was the teacher. I thought that was the coolest name, and he was so nice to me. He wasn’t all judgy. He was actually really nice to everyone in class. He spent so much time talking to us about anger and self defense and options instead of fighting. He really seemed to know what it was like to walk in my shoes. Then he took the time to explain how he learned to control his emotions, stand up for himself, and all together just be a better person. I thought I liked the judge a lot, but I liked this guy even more. Now that I have finished classes and jury duty, I have some time thinking about what I learned. I started writing in a journal and am writing what I like about both of these guys. I hope someday I can be like that to my kids and to other kids. People like this make a big difference in peoples lives, my dad isn’t anything like these guys, but I sure wish he was. I hope I can go back to classes and learn more.”
From Jacori
Teen Court has made a huge impact in my eyes. I see teenagers that have done bad things but come to this program and are remorseful for their actions. I love volunteering and it makes me want to be a lawyer. Coming to Teen Court has changed, not only me but everyone who comes there.
P.S. I love everyone there. They are like family to be. They are so nice. We have pizza parties. This program is awesome! I hope even more people come.
From Ivan
My name is Ivan R. Bracher. I am 14 years old and have lived in Lawton, OK for the last 7 years. I began volunteering at Teen Court in August 2020.
I have been interested in true crime shows and documentaries from a young age and always wanted to learn more about law and the judicial system. I’ve had connections to the court system for years because my mother is a court reporter at the Comanche County Courthouse. After hearing some of the things involved with the courts, I became more interested in law. I then realized that law is something that I would like to do long term. I decided that being a lawyer is a goal I should really shoot for!
In 2017, I took a class in the Gifted and Talented program at school, where we did a mock trial. I ended up helping arrange for that trial to be held in Judge Newburn’s courtroom at the Comanche County Courthouse. Judge Newburn explained the different roles in the courtroom and the importance of each one, and she answered our questions. This class definitely helped my interest in law!
In the Summer of 2020, my mother mentioned Teen Court to me and told me that I was old enough to start volunteering if that was something I would like to do. I attended Teen Court the following Thursday and was told about what their mission is and how it benefits the community. I really liked the fact that the purpose of Teen Court is to keep the teens who come through on the right track for success and out of trouble in the future. I realized that volunteering could benefit my future in law as well. From the first time I sat on the jury, I knew Teen Court was something I was passionate about.
When first starting volunteering, I sat on the jury and did so for quite a while. When the trials were in session I wasn’t only paying attention to the case, but also the attorneys who are defending and prosecuting them. Our Teen Court supervisor, Marcia Frazier, said that she would love to make me a teen attorney and would train me to be one. For the next couple of weeks, I still closely observed the current attorneys while also studying the information I would need to know to be an attorney. Not too long after, I was finally given my first case, went out and defended my client, and loved it! Ever since that first case, I have been an attorney on most of the cases that have been heard.
Teen Court is a great organization with a great purpose and I definitely think that it has me on a good track to a bright future in law!