WHY CHOOSE TEEN COURT?

Arlington Teen Court aims to inspire good citizenship by providing an educational opportunity through youth participation in an alternative system of justice, promoting accountability, and community engagement.


Arlington Teen Court is a "hands on" educational opportunity that allows both offenders and teen volunteers to experience, and thus better understand, our system of justice. A youth who has a case deferred to Arlington Teen Court appears before a jury of peers and receives a "constructive sentence." The jury is made up of secondary school volunteers and youth who are serving as part of their sentence.

Evidence from Arlington indicates that young people are more likely to stay out of trouble following a Teen Court appearance thus saving the community hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Arlington Teen Court works to interrupt developing patterns of illegal behavior by motivating youth for self-improvement, developing healthy attitudes toward authority, and increasing self-esteem. Teen Court stresses the responsibility and accountability of each individual for his actions. Service on an Arlington Teen Court jury challenges individual youth to perform at the highest level of ability. Teen Court also educates youth in preparation for life responsibilities as an individual, family member and citizen.

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