Teen Court usually is conducted in the trial courtroom of Department 1. All court staff and attorneys are teen participants.
Judge Memeo presides over the sentencing trial. The average Teen Court sentencing trial takes approximately 20 - 30 minutes to complete.
The procedure utilized during the trial reflects that used in adult trials as much as possible. After the introduction of the defendant and the Teen Court personnel, the sentencing trial proceeds in the following order:
Judge Memeo presides over the sentencing trial. The average Teen Court sentencing trial takes approximately 20 - 30 minutes to complete.
The procedure utilized during the trial reflects that used in adult trials as much as possible. After the introduction of the defendant and the Teen Court personnel, the sentencing trial proceeds in the following order:
HOW SUCCESSFUL IS TEEN COURT?
Since inception, Elko's Teen Court has handled over 1,400 juvenile first time offenders and teen juries have handed down over 20,000 hours of community service hours which beneifts organizations ranging from the Special Olympics, the Ruby Mountain Resource Center, local schools, F.I.S.H., the Igloo project to the Elko County Library.
Since inception, Elko's Teen Court has handled over 1,400 juvenile first time offenders and teen juries have handed down over 20,000 hours of community service hours which beneifts organizations ranging from the Special Olympics, the Ruby Mountain Resource Center, local schools, F.I.S.H., the Igloo project to the Elko County Library.
Elko County Teen Court
What is Teen Court?
Teen Court is a community-based alternative to the traditional juvenile justice system. It is a program that offers teenage offenders an important second chance--a chance to learn from their mistakes. It is seen as an effective intervention where enforcement of misdemeanor charges are sometimes given low priority because of heavy caseloads in the traditional system and the need to focus on more serious offenders.
These young people are confronted with immediate and personal responsibility. Teen Court is based on the premise that young people want to do what is right when making decisions. When wrong choices are made, they have the opportunity to make amends in Teen Court.
Only teens who take responsibility for their actions are referred to Teen Court. Teen Court does not deal with guilt or innocence. The teen jury decides what consequences will be required of the offender. For example the teen jury can require juvenile detention center tours, community service, educational classes, apology letters, written reports, etc.
These young people are confronted with immediate and personal responsibility. Teen Court is based on the premise that young people want to do what is right when making decisions. When wrong choices are made, they have the opportunity to make amends in Teen Court.
Only teens who take responsibility for their actions are referred to Teen Court. Teen Court does not deal with guilt or innocence. The teen jury decides what consequences will be required of the offender. For example the teen jury can require juvenile detention center tours, community service, educational classes, apology letters, written reports, etc.
How does Teen Court work?
Enrollment in the Teen Court program must be done through the Teen Court Coordinator. If you live in Elko County and want to participate as an attorney, juror or in a court staff position contact:
Linda Sarman
Phone: 775-753-4601
Linda Sarman
Phone: 775-753-4601
Teen Court
Ideally, Teen Court participants come to understand that living within the law or violating it, getting a good education or not, having a successful future or failing to find suitable employment, all depends on the decisions that they alone make.
The jury is sworn by the Court Clerk. The Court Clerk states to the jury the charge and the plea entered by the defendant (guilty).
The prosecutor summarizes the police report (facts of the case) for the jury.
Defense counsel calls the first witness, who is given the oath by the Court Clerk. The offender must testify and at a minimum explain his/her involvement in the crime. The offender's parents may also be called as witnesses to explain the sanctions imposed at home as well as the effect the violation has had on the offender.
The Prosecutor cross-examines the witnesses.
The Prosecution makes its closing argument to the jury.
The Defense makes its closing argument.
The jury is instructed by the court and retires to deliberate.
The verdict is returned.
The Court Clerk prepares the minutes and required paperwork.
The prosecutor summarizes the police report (facts of the case) for the jury.
Defense counsel calls the first witness, who is given the oath by the Court Clerk. The offender must testify and at a minimum explain his/her involvement in the crime. The offender's parents may also be called as witnesses to explain the sanctions imposed at home as well as the effect the violation has had on the offender.
The Prosecutor cross-examines the witnesses.
The Prosecution makes its closing argument to the jury.
The Defense makes its closing argument.
The jury is instructed by the court and retires to deliberate.
The verdict is returned.
The Court Clerk prepares the minutes and required paperwork.