Teen Court

Through Volunteers for Youth’s Teen Court program, adolescents and teens come together in a courtroom setting to determine consequences for peers who have gotten into trouble.

Program details

After admitting responsibility for a low level offense, youth aged eleven to eighteen may be referred to Teen Court by law enforcement officials, judges, or court counselors. Participation in Teen Court is voluntary and confidential.

Teen Court is staffed by trained youth volunteers who serve in various capacities within the program, acting in the roles of attorneys, clerks, bailiffs, and jurors. An adult volunteer serves as the judge presiding over court proceedings. As in traditional court, the volunteer attorneys present the facts of the case to the court, and the peer jury is responsible for rendering a constructive sentence.  All sentences include jury duty service and community service, and may also include additional requirements such as apology letters, online classes, and other restorative sanctions.

2024 Orange County Teen Court Schedule

Teen Court sessions are generally held two Mondays a month and alternate between the new and historic courthouses in Hillsborough.
Click here for detailed directions to the courthouses.

  • June 3rd
  • June 17th
  • July 1st
  • July 15th
  • August 5th
  • August 19th
  • September 9th
  • September 23rd
  • October 7th
  • October 23rd
  • November 4th
  • November 18th
  • December 2nd
  • December 16th

*It is likely these sessions will be held at the Historic Courthouse.

This is a tentative schedule. Participants and volunteers will receive confirmation emails prior to each scheduled date.

Court Arrival Times

Teen Court starts promptly at 7:00 PM.
Teen attorneys and defendants should arrive by 6:30 PM.
Jurors should arrive by 6:50 PM.

More Information

For more information, please contact the program coordinator:

Nicolle Verdin: nicolle@volunteersforyouth.org

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