How Teen Court Works - City of Duncanville, Texas

How Does Teen Court Work for the Defendant?

Teen commits a Class C Misdemeanor and receives a ticket
Teen appears in Municipal Court, pleads guilty/no contest and asks to be sent to Teen Court for sentencing. $20 administrative fee per case is required.
Only one (1) citation or multiple citations from one incident may be referred to the Teen Court program during a 2-year period.
Teen is referred to Teen Court Coordinator by Municipal Court and if approved

Teen appears at Teen Court.
A jury of peers determines number of community service hours and/or other appropriate sentence.
Teen serves sentence and provides proof within set time to Teen Court Coordinator.
Case is dismissed by Municipal Court.

If the teen does not complete the terms of the sentence, then his/her case is sent back to Municipal Court and the original fine is imposed

Defendant Eligibility:

Students who are currently enrolled in a middle or high school, who receive Class C misdemeanor citations in the City of Duncanville
Appear with a parent/guardian (or provide proof of marriage) before a Municipal Judge in Juvenile Court, enter a plea of Guilty or No Contest and request Teen Court .
Pay $20 administrative fee per case
Participation is voluntary. At any time defendants may choose to pay the fine(s) established for their specific offense(s) which will result in a conviction.

How Does Teen Court Work for the Volunteer?

Serving as a volunteer earns community service credit for graduation. Credit is given after each Teen Court session by the court clerk. Every volunteer must remain in the court room until court is dismissed by the Judge.

TEENS: Volunteers, ages 14-19, serve as the staff in Teen Court and act as defense attorneys, prosecution attorneys, bailiffs, court clerk and jurors. Students living (but not necessarily enrolled) in the Duncanville Independent School District are eligible to serve as volunteers.

ADULTS: Volunteers are needed during the Teen Court sessions. Duties include court scheduling, community service placements, training, enrolling, clerical work, public relations, presentations, etc.

Duncanville Teen Court meets on two Wednesday evenings each month, typically the 1 st and 4 th Wednesday, at the Duncanville City Hall located at 203 E. Wheatland Road . Court begins promptly at 6:00 pm and lasts approximately two hours depending on the amount of cases scheduled.

For more information you can contact Teen Court Coordinator Sylvia Araiza at 972 780-5063 or email 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

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