MIDLAND TEEN COURT
Midland County Courthouse
200 West Wall
432-689-1065
Monday Evenings (as set: 3 times per month) 5-7 p.m.
Mary Beck, Executive Director, and Tamara Rogers, Assistant Director
Office: Midland ISD Administration Building
615 West Missouri #226
Midland, Texas 79701
Phone: (432) 689-1065 and Fax: (432) 689-1087
Charter Member of the Texas Teen Court Association
WHAT IS TEEN COURT?
Midland Teen Court is an alternative system of justice which offers young offenders an opportunity to make restitution for their offenses through community service, educational classes, and jury service, thus avoiding fines and sentences and keeping the offense off their records. Teen Court is a "hands on" educational opportunity which allows both offenders and teen volunteers to better understand our system of justice. A youth deferred to Teen Court appears before a jury of peers, both secondary school volunteers and youth who are serving as part of their sentence. Evidence from Midland and many other cities indicates that young people do stay out of trouble following a Teen Court appearance and that the program saves hundreds of thousands of dollars of community expense.
Midland Teen Court hopes to interrupt developing patterns of criminal behavior by increasing self esteem, motivating youth for self improvement, and developing healthy attitudes toward authority. The program stresses the responsibility and accountability of an individual for his actions. Service on a Teen Court jury challenges a youth to perform at his highest level of ability and places a high priority on educating youth for life responsibilities as an individual, family member, and citizen.
Midland Teen Court, Inc. is a non-profit organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. A governing board comprised of members of the community at large as well as representatives of the funding bodies and the judiciary oversees the program.
WHO COMES TO TEEN COURT?
Persons (ages 10 to 18 or who are enrolled full time in an accredited secondary school working toward a high school diploma) may request Teen Court for most Class C misdemeanors (such as minor in possession or minor consuming alcohol, simple assault, disorderly conduct, theft under $50, and violation of city ordinances such as curfew, fireworks inside the city limits, etc.)
Only one citation may be referred to the Teen Court Program within a two year period from Municipal Court or Justice Courts.
Consent of parent or guardian is required.
Under Article 45.55 in the Code of Criminal Procedure, successful completion within a 90-day period results in dismissal of the citation which may not be part of the defendant's criminal record or driving record or used for any other purpose.
Other citations may be referred to Teen Court upon recommendation of the Municipal Court or Justice Court Judges, the school system, and the Juvenile Probation Department or Midland Police Department.
Failure to complete the Teen Court program within 90 days from referral results in payment of the set fine and a conviction on the defendant's record.
TEEN COURT SIGN-UP
Youth who receive citations in Midland must first appear before the Municipal Court Judge or the Justice of the Peace, depending on the case.
At that Court, youth must enter a plea of "guilty" or "nolo contendere" and request deferral to Teen Court. Non refundable court costs and administrative fees must be paid to the City or County, but successful completion of Teen Court will be in place of the fine. The youth and parent/guardian then contact the Teen Court Office at 689-1065 to discuss the rules, regulations, and procedures of the program and to set a Teen Court appearance.
COMMUNITY SERVICE
Participants should contact their chosen agency within one week of their Teen Court appearance to schedule their volunteer work. Community service work is available for non-profit or governmental agencies or schools throughout the area. Each youth is responsible for setting his schedule, performing the work, and reporting the completed hours in writing to the Teen Court Office within the allowed 90 days.
TEEN COURT PROCEDURE
Teen Courts are held on the set Monday evenings, with check-in beginning at 5:00 p.m. at the County Courthouse. Please enter the Courthouse via the ramp on the southwest corner of the building. The location of the Court will be posted on the door. Come to the set floor, check in with the Court volunteers or staff, and be seated in the assigned location. Each non-traffic defendant will be appointed a teen defense attorney; traffic offenders appear before the Master Jury and do not have a teen attorney. Teens and attorneys meet during the check-in period to discuss the case. Some defense attorneys may call their assigned defendants at home prior to the Court date. Most traffic cases are heard by the Master Jury where the jury itself questions the defendant. Jurors in both Courts are teens, either volunteers or completing a sentence. Local judges and licensed attorneys preside over the Teen Courts.
RULES & DRESS CODE
Court is a formal, serious place, demanding respect and appropriate behavior from all participants. Anyone in violation will be asked to leave and receive no credit for the evening's attendance.
All persons shall be appropriately attired for Court proceedings, dressed in clean, neat clothing. (Shorts, caps or hats, tank tops, rompers, thongs, tattered or soiled clothing, and inappropriate tee shirts are NOT ALLOWED.)
DISCIPLINE GRID
Constructive sentences are set by the teen jury within a set grid:
Rank 1: 4 - 10 hours community service and 1 - 3 evenings jury service (Most traffic cases, some curfew violations.) Rank 2: 10 - 20 hours community service and 2 - 4 evenings jury service (Most other cases and speeding greater than 24 mph over the speed limit or in a school zone.) Rank 3: 20 - 30 hours community service and 2 - 4 evenings jury service (Drug related and other more serious offenses.)
FUNDING & SUPPORT
The City of Midland
The Junior League of Midland, Inc.
Midland County
Midland Independent School District
Foundations
Private Donors
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Secondary school students are needed to serve as volunteer jurors, and may train to serve as prosecuting or defense attorneys.
SCHOLARSHIPS
Midland Teen Court Scholarships, funding by donations from individuals, law firms, and local organizations, are available for graduating volunteers to be used to further their education.
AUTHORITY FOR TEEN COURT
Chapter 45, Article 45.55, Texas Code of Criminal Procedure and Chapter 54, 54.032, Texas Family Code.
From: Board of Directors, Midland Teen Court, Inc.
Dear Parent(s):
Your child, like so may of our children, is fortunate to have his or her first experience with our judicial system through the Midland Teen Court program. Since its founding Teen Court has been funded primarily by the City, the County, Midland Independent School District, and the Junior League of Midland, Inc. Because the participation of each of these funding entities is decided year by year, Teen Court needs financial support from other sources in order to insure its uninterrupted continuation.
We need and would appreciate your financial help. Consider what Teen Court may have done for you: saved you an increase on your monthly insurance; kept your Child's record clean while still teaching a lesson; provided a framework of positive peer pressure and discipline; given your child an opportunity to make amends to the community through volunteer service; given your child a reason not to repeat a mistake. We are pleased you are receiving these benefits, and we are counting on your support.
Midland Teen Court is recognized by the IRS as a 501(c)(3) not for profit corporation; therefore, your contribution should be tax-deductible.
Please send your contribution to the Midland Teen Court, Inc., Office, 615 West Missouri, #226, Midland, Texas 79701.
For further information visit www.midlandteencourt.org or contact the Midland Teen Court Office, 615 W. Missouri, #226, Midland, TX 79701
432-689-1065
Fax: 432-689-1087
email: mbeck@midlandteencourt.org
Mary Beck, Executive Director
Cassie Dresel, Assistant Director
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