Teen Court offers alternative to first-time youth offenders
When teenagers are arrested in Orange County, they might catch a break – if it’s their first arrest and the crime is a misdemeanor such as theft, vandalism and battery or a minor felony like grand theft auto or burglary.
The State Attorney’s Office regularly recommends first-time youth offenders who are accused of committing minor crimes to Teen Court, a teenager-run mock courtroom with real rules and real penalties.
The main advantage of Teen Court: teens who make it through the court hearing and successfully complete their sentence have all charges against them dropped and avoid a potentially damaging criminal record as an adult.
Read More – Teen Court offers alternative to first-time youth offenders
