Teen court is a unique process that incorporates teens, victims, and the community in a new form of ” Restorative Justice”. The model encourages personal responsibility and program activity, such as, holds teens accountable for their actions; having to explain their actions in front of a jury of their peers takes courage. “What happened?”, who or what harm was caused and determining who needs to do who needs to do what to repair the harm is providing participants with the tools needed to restore the community and individual victims what is lost.
History
Teen Court was implemented through the Mayor’s Drug Free Youth Force in the fall of 2001. Educating our youth about the behavior, such as drinking or other illegal substances is one of the many goals of the program. Collaboration remains the driving force that keeps the Teen Court Juvenile Justice department Program focused upon these issues, but also to continue to address all risk factors in youth.
Lansing Teen Court Mission
- Provide first time youth Respondents (offenders) a chance to clear their record and experience success.
- Reduce Juvenile Crime and Juvenile Recidivism.
- Reduce youth involvement in illegal use of alcohol and other harmful drugs.
- Minimize Risk Factors and increase Protective Factors to promote good citizenship.
- Educate youth regarding the nature of the Juvenile Justice System and our Laws.
- Create a juvenile justice environment that utilizes Restorative Justice Principles.
(517) 882.4000
