Mediation Center of Eastern Carolina/Teen Court

What is Teen Court? Teen Court is an alternative, restorative system of justice, which offers juvenile who commit minor misdemeanor offenses an opportunity to take responsibility for their offenses through community service and other educational opportunities.

Teen Court also provides a “hands on” educational experience for student volunteers in our justice system. Teen Court does not determine guilt or innocence; rather, it recommends a constructive sentence for the juvenile defendant that includes restitution, community service hours and educational classes.

A juvenile referred to Teen Court appears before a jury of peers and is defended and prosecuted by peers. Evidence from many sources indicates that not only do young people stay out of trouble following a Teen Court appearance, but the program also saves hundreds of thousands of dollars in community expense and allows the juvenile court system to concentrate more time and energy on critical juvenile offenders.