Fostering leadership opportunities for the youth in the community is an important task of the Cooperative Extension Service, as it encourages and empowers youth to become engaged, upstanding, successful adults for the future.

Providing unique learning opportunities for the youth in our community is a high priority of the Carroll County Extension Council. In response, the 4-H Youth Development and Agriculture and Natural Resources Agents worked with the local judicial system to establish the Kentucky Teen Court System in Carroll County.

According to the Kentucky Court of Justice, Teen Court is based upon the premise that most young people want to do what is right when making decisions. This program provides first-time juvenile offenders the opportunity to participate in a less formal court process that is controlled by their peers. The youth defendant comes to Teen Court as pled guilty, and it is the decision of the Teen Court process to determine an appropriate sentence based on the situation. Example sentences include community service, letter of apology, and serving as a juror on a future Teen Court case. Offenders who successfully complete their sentence will have their case considered dismissed and avoid a formal court record. Cases can include offenses such as shoplifting, theft, criminal mischief, and harassment.

For Teen Court members, this program provides a special opportunity to learn more about the judicial system through serving as the actual defense and prosecution attorneys, bailiff, jury foreman, and jurors as well as improve communication skills through preparing statements and arguments to be presented to the Teen Court jury. Each case requires two prosecuting attorneys, two defense attorneys, one bailiff, one jury foreman, and the remaining youth as jurors. Teens develop a high standard of ethics while interacting with local legal and judicial professionals.

The Extension Agents work closely with the District Court Judge, County Attorney, and Court Designated Worker to recruit and mentor teen participants, refer cases, meet with the defendants and parents alongside the defense attorneys, assign roles, systematically monitor defendant’s compliance with sentence, and supply all necessary information and statistics to the Teen Court state coordinator.

Carroll County’s program is one of twenty-three Teen Court programs in Kentucky, and the only county where the Cooperative Extension Service is involved. Seventeen Carroll County teens, ranging from seventh grade to twelfth grade, participated in the program for the 2017-2018 school year. All participants were required to complete summer training sessions, which included mock trails, and were led by the District Court Judge and County Attorney. The swearing-in ceremony took place in August 2017, which provided the opportunity for the teens’ families to witness their progress. Normal court cases required strict confidentiality, and no audience members were permitted.

Over the course of nine months, Teen Court members were presented with twelve cases. Each role rotated among Teen Court members, allowing them to improve their communication and leadership skills. In addition, Teen Court members have the unique potential to serve as role models to the juvenile defendants. The defendants have the opportunity to experience the legal process, evaluate the long-term consequences of their actions, and build mutual respect and cooperation with their peers and legal professionals.

The Teen Court program in Carroll County has been met with tremendous success, with some Teen Court members now considering future education and career opportunities in the legal field. With more teens interested in the program for the 2018-2019 school year, Teen Court will certainly continue to serve our community well.