Instructions for a Teen Court Juror
III. As a Teen Court Juror, it is very important to remember that you are in a REAL court of law and will be having a significant impact on the life of one of your peers. For this reason, a certain demeanor is required. Below is a list of things to remember in order to maintain the integrity of Teen Court and its participants:
A. Your clothing must be neat and orderly.
1. No tank tops.
2. No shorts.
3. No hats of headbands.
B. Your demeanor as a Teen Court Juror must be professional.
1. Sit up straight.
2. No books, radios, or newspapers while inside the courtroom.
3. No unnecessary talking.
4. No laughing while questioning the offender.
5. No chewing gum or eating while inside the courtroom.
6. Speak clearly and loudly so that you can be heard by all in court.
7. Refrain from facial expressions, i.e., rolling your eyes in disbelief.
II. As a Teen Court Juror, you are given the opportunity to question the accused offender and his/her parents. You are not limited as long as your questions help you come to a decision. Creativity is encouraged. Below are examples of questions you may wish to ask. Some may only apply to certain offenses.
A. General Questions:
1. Why did you do it?
2. Have you ever done this type of thing before?
3. Will you ever do it again? If not, why not?
4. Were you alone? If not, whose idea was it?
5. Have you ever gone to counseling?
6. Do you attend school regularly?
7. How are your grades?
B. For Offenses Related to Theft:
1. Did you intend to steal something when you went into the store?
2. Did you have money to pay for the merchandise?
3. Was the merchandise returned to the store undamaged?
4. What did you take?
5. Why did you need it?
C. For Offenses Related to Drug/Alcohol Abuse:
1. Why do you use drugs/alcohol?
2. How often do you use drugs/alcohol?
3. Do your friends use drugs/alcohol?
4. Do you intend to stop using drugs/alcohol?
5. Do you buy drugs from your friends?
6. How do you get money to buy drug/alcohol?
7. Have you even taken money or sold items from your home to buy drugs/alcohol?
A. Questions For Parents:
1. Did you know your son/daughter had this problem?
2. Did you punish him/her? If so, what was the punishment?
3. Does your son/daughter get an allowance?
4. Does your son/daughter have problems at school?
5. How are his/her grades?
6. Do you know his/her friends? If so, are there any he/she is restricted from seeing?
7. Do you have problems with your son/daughter at home?
I. During your deliberations, you will have a responsibility of determining a fair and appropriate verdict/sentence for the offender. Remember, creativity is encouraged. All conditions of probation will be monitored by, and are at the discretion of the probation department.
A. Examples Of Sentences Which May Be Imposed:
1. Community service. Minimum of 10 hours. Maximum of 120 hours.
2. Attending counseling as directed by the Probation Department.
3. Write letters of apology to the victim.
4. Stay away from the location of the offense unless accompanied by a parent.
5. Serve on at least one Teen Court Jury.
6. Write an essay on the dangers of drug/alcohol abuse (if applicable).
7. Do not associate with . . .
A. Your clothing must be neat and orderly.
1. No tank tops.
2. No shorts.
3. No hats of headbands.
B. Your demeanor as a Teen Court Juror must be professional.
1. Sit up straight.
2. No books, radios, or newspapers while inside the courtroom.
3. No unnecessary talking.
4. No laughing while questioning the offender.
5. No chewing gum or eating while inside the courtroom.
6. Speak clearly and loudly so that you can be heard by all in court.
7. Refrain from facial expressions, i.e., rolling your eyes in disbelief.
II. As a Teen Court Juror, you are given the opportunity to question the accused offender and his/her parents. You are not limited as long as your questions help you come to a decision. Creativity is encouraged. Below are examples of questions you may wish to ask. Some may only apply to certain offenses.
A. General Questions:
1. Why did you do it?
2. Have you ever done this type of thing before?
3. Will you ever do it again? If not, why not?
4. Were you alone? If not, whose idea was it?
5. Have you ever gone to counseling?
6. Do you attend school regularly?
7. How are your grades?
B. For Offenses Related to Theft:
1. Did you intend to steal something when you went into the store?
2. Did you have money to pay for the merchandise?
3. Was the merchandise returned to the store undamaged?
4. What did you take?
5. Why did you need it?
C. For Offenses Related to Drug/Alcohol Abuse:
1. Why do you use drugs/alcohol?
2. How often do you use drugs/alcohol?
3. Do your friends use drugs/alcohol?
4. Do you intend to stop using drugs/alcohol?
5. Do you buy drugs from your friends?
6. How do you get money to buy drug/alcohol?
7. Have you even taken money or sold items from your home to buy drugs/alcohol?
A. Questions For Parents:
1. Did you know your son/daughter had this problem?
2. Did you punish him/her? If so, what was the punishment?
3. Does your son/daughter get an allowance?
4. Does your son/daughter have problems at school?
5. How are his/her grades?
6. Do you know his/her friends? If so, are there any he/she is restricted from seeing?
7. Do you have problems with your son/daughter at home?
I. During your deliberations, you will have a responsibility of determining a fair and appropriate verdict/sentence for the offender. Remember, creativity is encouraged. All conditions of probation will be monitored by, and are at the discretion of the probation department.
A. Examples Of Sentences Which May Be Imposed:
1. Community service. Minimum of 10 hours. Maximum of 120 hours.
2. Attending counseling as directed by the Probation Department.
3. Write letters of apology to the victim.
4. Stay away from the location of the offense unless accompanied by a parent.
5. Serve on at least one Teen Court Jury.
6. Write an essay on the dangers of drug/alcohol abuse (if applicable).
7. Do not associate with . . .
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