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Teen Court is a legally binding alternative system of justice that offers young offenders a voluntary alternative to the traditional juvenile justice system. First- time offenders who participate in this program have the opportunity to make restitution for their Class C misdemeanor offenses through community service, educational classes, and jury service.
Under Article 45.052 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure and Section 54.032 of the Family Code, successful completion of the sentence given by the Teen Court jury within a 90 day period results in dismissal of the citation. Failure to complete the Teen Court sentence results in payment of the originally set fine and a conviction on the defendant’s record.
Duncanville Teen Court hopes to interrupt developing patterns of criminal behavior by promoting feels of self-esteem, motivation for self-improvement and development of healthy attitudes toward authority. Responsibility and accountability for criminal actions are stressed.
Duncanville Teen Court tries Real Cases with Real Consequences. Participation and successful completion of this “hands on” educational option keeps the offense off the teen’s record and provides both the offenders and teen volunteers a better understanding of our system of justice.
Evidence from Duncanville and other cities indicates that young offenders do stay out of trouble following a Teen Court appearance in addition to the program saving hundreds of thousands of dollars of community expense.
There are two (2) avenues for teens to become involved with the Teen Court Program:
ELIGIBILITY
Teenagers 13 through 17 years old, and/or
who are currently enrolled in a middle or high school, who
receive Class C citations in the City of Duncanville, are
eligible to participate in the Teen Court Program.
Participation in Teen Court is possible
after admission of guilt. Before enrolling, teens must appear
with a parent or guardian before a Municipal Judge, or present
proof of marriage and enter a plea of guilty or no contest.
Participation in Teen Court is an alternative to paying
the fine.
Participation is voluntary. At any time
defendants may choose to pay the fine(s) established for
their specific offense(s). Within a 2-year period only one
citation, or multiple citations from one incident, may be
referred to the Teen Court program from the Municipal Court
or Justice Court.
Duncanville Teen Court meets on the two
Wednesdays each month, typically the 1st and 4th Wednesday,
at the Duncanville City Hall located at 203 E. Wheatland
Road, Duncanville, Texas. For more information you can contact
Teen Court Coordinator Sylvia Araiza at 972-780-5063,
or e-mail at saraiza@ci.duncanville.tx.us.
City of Duncanville
Teen Court
203 E. Wheatland Road
P.O. Box 380280
Duncanville, TX 75116
972-780-5063
© Duncanville,
Texas 2003
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