Participant Script
1.This is the matter of (Juvenile Offender’s first name and last initial, i.e., John R).
2.Bailiff, please bring in the Juvenile Offender and his/her parent(s).
3.Have the Juvenile Offender seated and tell him/her “You are here because you and your parent signed an agreement to have your case heard here at Teen Court rather than at Juvenile Hall. We are going to select a jury and then I’m going to ask you a few questions.”
4.Have the court clerk select a jury. After the jury is selected, proceed to step 5.
5.To the Juvenile Offender: “This is the jury that is going to hear your trial. Is it still your desire to have your case heard at Teen Court?” If no, send it back to probation. If yes, have the Juvenile Offender rise to be sworn.
6.Have the Juvenile Offender raise his/her right hand and answer the question, “You do solemnly swear that the testimony that you are about to give in the matter now pending before this court will be the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help you God.” (Or modified oath selected by the Judicial Officer).
7.Explain the procedure: “The clerk is now going to read the charges. I want you to listen very carefully and then I’m going to give you a chance to tell the jury your side of the incident. Please speak up when talking to the jury so we can all hear you. After you explain the incident to the jury, they will have an opportunity to ask questions of you and your parent(s).” (Juvenile Offender explains incident, then you instruct the jury to ask questions. Prompt them if necessary.)
8.After 20 minutes, stop the questions and tell the Juvenile Offender, “(Name), thank you for your testimony, I’m going to have you step outside now with your parent(s) while the jury deliberates. When they have a verdict, I’ll have you and your parent(s) come back into the court.”
9.Jury Returns:
1.Call minor and parents back into court.
2.Seat the jurors.
3.Foreperson, please stand.
4.Foreperson, please read the verdict.
10.If Verdict is Not Guilty:
1.The court thanks the jury for its verdict.(Defendant’s name), the jury having found you Not Guilty, this case is dismissed. (And any comments the court may wish to make.)
11.If Guilty Verdict:
1.(Defendant’s name), the jury has found you guilty and made certain recommendations.
2.I want you to listen very carefully; the court is going to place you on probation for six months under certain terms and conditions. If you comply with these terms and conditions, at the end of six months, I will dismiss the case and you will have no record. If you fail to comply with these terms and conditions, then I will refer your case back to probation for filing of charges in the regular Juvenile Court.
3.The court now places you on probation for six months under the following terms and conditions:
Consider:
A.Teen parenting classes when parents appear ineffective in supervision.
B.Narcotic or anger management consulting (when appropriate).
C.Letter of apology.
D.Curfews – usually 6:00 p.m. – 6:00 a.m., seven days per week, unless accompanied by a parent.
E.Tutoring; before or after school programs to get the minor involved.
F.Testing – re narcotics – if it can be arranged.
G.Essays – on graffiti, or theft, etc.
Remember, there can be no:
A.Monetary restitution. (The Probation Department is working to tie Teen Court into other programs that may provide for monetary restitution.)
B.Custody time.
2.Bailiff, please bring in the Juvenile Offender and his/her parent(s).
3.Have the Juvenile Offender seated and tell him/her “You are here because you and your parent signed an agreement to have your case heard here at Teen Court rather than at Juvenile Hall. We are going to select a jury and then I’m going to ask you a few questions.”
4.Have the court clerk select a jury. After the jury is selected, proceed to step 5.
5.To the Juvenile Offender: “This is the jury that is going to hear your trial. Is it still your desire to have your case heard at Teen Court?” If no, send it back to probation. If yes, have the Juvenile Offender rise to be sworn.
6.Have the Juvenile Offender raise his/her right hand and answer the question, “You do solemnly swear that the testimony that you are about to give in the matter now pending before this court will be the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help you God.” (Or modified oath selected by the Judicial Officer).
7.Explain the procedure: “The clerk is now going to read the charges. I want you to listen very carefully and then I’m going to give you a chance to tell the jury your side of the incident. Please speak up when talking to the jury so we can all hear you. After you explain the incident to the jury, they will have an opportunity to ask questions of you and your parent(s).” (Juvenile Offender explains incident, then you instruct the jury to ask questions. Prompt them if necessary.)
8.After 20 minutes, stop the questions and tell the Juvenile Offender, “(Name), thank you for your testimony, I’m going to have you step outside now with your parent(s) while the jury deliberates. When they have a verdict, I’ll have you and your parent(s) come back into the court.”
9.Jury Returns:
1.Call minor and parents back into court.
2.Seat the jurors.
3.Foreperson, please stand.
4.Foreperson, please read the verdict.
10.If Verdict is Not Guilty:
1.The court thanks the jury for its verdict.(Defendant’s name), the jury having found you Not Guilty, this case is dismissed. (And any comments the court may wish to make.)
11.If Guilty Verdict:
1.(Defendant’s name), the jury has found you guilty and made certain recommendations.
2.I want you to listen very carefully; the court is going to place you on probation for six months under certain terms and conditions. If you comply with these terms and conditions, at the end of six months, I will dismiss the case and you will have no record. If you fail to comply with these terms and conditions, then I will refer your case back to probation for filing of charges in the regular Juvenile Court.
3.The court now places you on probation for six months under the following terms and conditions:
Consider:
A.Teen parenting classes when parents appear ineffective in supervision.
B.Narcotic or anger management consulting (when appropriate).
C.Letter of apology.
D.Curfews – usually 6:00 p.m. – 6:00 a.m., seven days per week, unless accompanied by a parent.
E.Tutoring; before or after school programs to get the minor involved.
F.Testing – re narcotics – if it can be arranged.
G.Essays – on graffiti, or theft, etc.
Remember, there can be no:
A.Monetary restitution. (The Probation Department is working to tie Teen Court into other programs that may provide for monetary restitution.)
B.Custody time.
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