Agenda - 12-16-1997 - 10e - Laserfiche WebLink

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1 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS Action Agenda Item No. !�- ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: December 16, 1997 SUBJECT: Report on Teen Court DEPARTMENT: County Manager PUBLIC HEARING: YES: NO: X BUDGET AMENDMENT: YES: NO: X ATTACHMENT(S): Report on the Teen Court INFORMATION CONTACT: Sharron Siler Programs in NC (March 15, 1995) TELEPHONE NUMBERS: ext. 2302 Hillsborough -732-8181 Chapel Hill -968-4501 Durham -688-7331 Mebane -227-2031 PURPOSE: To provide information regarding the Teen Court Programs in North Carolina and the feasibility of establishing a program in Orange County. BACKGROUND: Due to the sponsorship of Representatives Verla Insko and Joe Hackney, Orange County has been appropriated$15,000 by the legislature to develop a Teen Court. In 1993,North Carolina appropriated money to develop a pilot program in Fayetteville. Since then, over 10 additional communities have developed Teen Court Programs. Teen Court focuses on youthful first-time offenders charged with a misdemeanor offense or infraction receiving judgment from their peers. During Teen Court hearings, teenage volunteers serve as court clerks, bailiffs,jurors, defense attorneys, and prosecuting attorneys. Defendants must plead guilty in . order to participate in the program. Therefore, the primary debate centers on sentencing. Volunteer adult attorneys often assist the youth attorneys in case preparation. An adult, often a retired judge or attorney,presides at the hearing. Defendants may receive a wide range of sentences including community service,restitution to victims, curfews, counseling, and other options also used by the District Court for community sentencing. Defendants generally must complete these terms within 30 days and may be remanded to Juvenile Court or District Court if they do not comply. In addition, they must later serve in some capacity on the Teen Court.