What is Teen Court?

Volunteers

Established in Hancock County in 1999, Teen

Court is a voluntary diversion program for
first-time teen misdemeanor offenders. Teen
Court alleviates the strain on the regular court
system, while giving youth offenders a second
chance. Teen volunteers perform the roles of
prosecuting attorney, defense attorney, bailiff,
and jurors. A local attorney performs the role of
judge and oversees the courtroom. Offenders
admit guilt before entering the program. A
sentencing hearing is held where the peer jury
decides a fair and constructive disposition
based on the mitigating and aggravating
circumstances of the case. This is an
opportunity for eligible youth to take
responsibility for their actions. Teen court
provides positive peer pressure with community
based consequences. Teen offenders and
volunteers alike learn about due process,
restorative justice, and the benefits of
volunteering to improve their community.
Upon successful completion of the program,
offenders cases are dismissed without formal
charges.

Teen Court volunteers are 9th - 12th graders

in Hancock County. They must complete a
training session and have a desire to
improve their community. Teen court
volunteers must be dependable and serious
about volunteering.

The teen court office is located at the States

Attorneys Office in the Hancock County
Courthouse.

Hancock County
Teen Court

Scholarships are available for selected high

school seniors that have actually
participated in the program as a volunteer.
Volunteer positions include:
Attorneys Prosecution and Defense
attorneys review the facts of the case. The
defense attorney interviews and prepares
the defendant. Both attorneys prepare
opening and closing statements and conduct
direct and cross examination.
Juror Jurors listen to the evidence
presented in the case and work together to
determine a fair and constructive sentence
for the offender.
Bailiff The bailiff administers the oath to
the jury and all people who testify and
delivers the verdict to the judge.

If you are interested in volunteering for

Hancock County Teen Court, contact
Phoebe Wilson at hcoteencourt@gmail.com
or by phone at 815-973-7549. Volunteers are
called on a rotational basis.

Phoebe Wilson
Teen Court Coordinator
P.O. Box 420, 500 Main Street
Carthage, IL 62321
Phone: 815-973-7549
Fax: 217-357-3682
hcoteencourt@gmail.com

Possible Dispositions

Who participates?
First time teen offenders (13-19) of
misdemeanor, business and petty offenses
that include:

Curfew violations
Battery / Assault
Theft / Retail Theft
Trespassing
Drug offences (cannabis possession &
possession of cannabis paraphernalia)
Alcohol Offenses (possession of alcohol &
consumption of alcohol)
Tobacco violations
Disorderly Conduct
Criminal Damage to Property
Traffic violations
Vandalism

Teens are referred to Teen Court by a

Juvenile Probation Officer, Police, Principal,
States Attorney or Court and must be between
13 19 years old.
Teens must admit guilt to the charged
offense and be willing to actively participate in
Teen Court and be willing to follow all rules.
Teens must have consent, cooperation, and
participation of a parent/guardian who is willing
to accompany them to their Teen Court
Hearing.

Class 1 Offense: $200.00 application fee

Class 2 Offense: $300.00 application fee
Class 3 Offense: $500.00 application fee

Why Teen Court?

Teen Court

Verbal or Written Apology

Community Service
Essays about Lessons Learned
Research Papers on the Law that was
Broken
Curfew Restriction
Restitution
Teen Court Jury Duty
Traffic Safety School
Drug/Alcohol Counseling
Any other punishment that is appropriate

helps youth realize they will be held

accountable for their problem behavior.

educates youth on the impact their

actions have on themselves and others.
(i.e. victims and the community)

builds competencies in youth by

providing instruction in how the legal
system functions and how to
communicate and resolve problems
with peers more effectively.

provides a meaningful forum for youth to

practice and enhance newly developed
competencies.

assists the juvenile court system by

reducing backlog, court time, and
expense.

benefits the community by reducing and

preventing crime and providing
community service volunteers.

encourages all who participate to

recognize the impact on victims and what
needs to be done to repair the harm.

The jury cannot sentence any teen to

a detention facility or jail.

The Teen Court program aims to:

Enable teen offenders to understand the

harm caused by their behavior and to
make amends to their victims and
communities.
Build offenders strengths and increase
offenders competencies.
Give offenders a second chance in
hopes that they will not encounter the
criminal court system.

Teen Court trainings and hearings are

held at the Hancock County
Courthouse on the 3rd floor. All
trainings and hearings will be in the
evening after school hours.