Building an Effective Citizenry: Lessons Learned from Initiatives by the American Youth Policy Forum in Washington, DC
By: Sarah S. Pearson and Heather M. Voke (Published by the American Youth Policy Forum in Washington, DC.; 33 pages)
This document provides an overview of ideas that were presented and discussed during a series of forums and field trips that the American Youth Policy Forum conducted in 2002-2003 that focused on issues related to the development of effective citizenry and youth engagement. Within the document, there is a chapter on “The Power of Youth Court to Build an Effective Citizenry” that describes events and results of a field trip that AYPF organized for policymakers to observe community- and school-based youth courts in West Palm Beach and Broward counties in Florida. The document concludes with recommendations for practices and policies to promote the development of effective and engaged young citizens.
To order a copy of this publication ($5.00/copy), contact:
American Youth Policy Forum Publications Dept. 1836 Jefferson Place, NW Washington, DC 20036 Phone: 202-775-9731 Fax: 202-775-9733
"Court Mandated Community Service: Is It an Effective Rehabilitation Tool For Youth? " The Working Group on National and Community Service (published December 2002, Youth Service America)
To download a copy of this publication, click here. “Getting the Most Out of the Deliberation Process” - Video and Facilitator Guide
(Produced by the American Probation and Parole Association/Council of State Governments in April 2002; Video features two 20-minute segments; Facilitator Guide, 13 pages)
This interactive video features two 20-minute scenarios designed to help educate youth court volunteers, especially new jurors and judge panelists, on some issues they should consider to help them determine a fair, appropriate, and restorative disposition (i.e., sentence) for youth court defendants/respondents. The deliberation process is one of the most important components of a youth court hearing. The disposition recommended by youth jurors or judges should have components that will help the defendant/respondent understand his/her actions; offer opportunities to make amends and appreciate and repair the harm that he/she caused; and increase his/her skills, competencies, and ties to the community. The video comes with a Facilitator Guide that includes a lesson that youth courts can follow when using the video to instruct and educate their volunteers.
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To download a copy of the Facilitator Guide, click here.
Revised 2006 Edition - Giving Back: Introducing Community Service Learning Improving Mandated Community Service for Juvenile Offenders By Charles Degelman, Keri Doggett, and Gregorio Medina (Published in 2002; revised 2006; 104 pages)
Developed by Constitutional Rights Foundation in Los Angeles and Chicago through a grant from the OJJDP, this updated and revised manual gives youth courts and other juvenile-justice agencies the tools they need to apply school-based service-learning methods to court-mandated community-service. Giving Back provides skill-building strategies and materials to introduce juvenile offenders to basic concepts of community and community problems and offers three options for planning and implementing community service-learning projects specifically designed to deal with ten offenses that youth courts and other juvenile-justice agencies most frequently address.
Giving Back: A Community Service-Learning Manual for Youth Courts By: Charles Degelman (Published in 2002; 92 pages)
Developed by the Constitutional Rights Foundation in Chicago and Los Angeles, through a subcontract with the National Youth Court Center and OJJDP, this manual gives youth courts tools needed to apply school-based service-learning methods to community service dispositions for youth courts. The manual presents strategies that youth courts can use to introduce youth court defendants/respondents to basic concepts about community, community problems, and ways to address them, as well as skill- and awareness-building activities to introduce the community service learning options. Finally, the manual outlines three community service learning options and methods that youth courts can choose from when developing their community service component.
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In Session is a quarterly newsletter for youth court coordinators, volunteers, and others interested in youth court. Each issue of In Session contains valuable information about publications, resources, and training opportunities, articles on current youth court issues, updates about the Federal Youth Court Program's website, and more!
To read current and past issues of the In-Session Newsletter, click here .
Making Youth Court as Effective as Possible Technical Assistance Bulletin #25
To download a copy of this publication, click here .
National Youth Court Guidelines
By: Tracy M. Godwin, Michelle E. Heward, and Tom Spina, Jr. (Published in 2000;146 pages)
Developed by the American Probation and Parole Association/Council of State Governments (which administered the National Youth Court Center), the National Youth Court Guidelines are designed to give youth courts direction for developing and operating effective programs for the ultimate purpose of increasing program accountability and integrity of the “youth court field.” Each chapter begins with a brief overview of the guidelines that are recommended for that particular program area. Afterwards, each guideline is discussed in more detail. A rationale for each guideline, as well as tips for implementing each guideline is included. At the conclusion of each chapter there is a section that identifies some outcomes youth court programs might reasonably expect if they adhere to the recommendations made in the guidelines.
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The Monthly E-Update is a monthly electronic communiqué on youth court and related issues. To sign up to receive this news update, click here.
Peer Justice and Youth Empowerment: An Implementation Guide for Teen Court Programs
By: Tracy M. Godwin, David J. Steinhart, and Betsy Fulton (Published in 1996; revised in 1998;176 pages, plus appendices)
The American Probation and Parole Association, which administered the National Youth Court Center, developed Peer Justice and Youth Empowerment: An Implementation Guide for Youth Courts to provide program organizers with baseline information on developing, implementing, and enhancing teen court programs within their jurisdictions. Rather than endorsing one particular model of teen court, this manual provides program organizers and potential stakeholders with a general overview of issues to consider and guides them through a decision making process for the implementation of a teen court program that fits local needs. Sample forms and other helpful resources are also included as supplementary materials.
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To download this publication, click here . (Please note: the Internet version does not include Chapter 10: Program Evaluation or the Appendices).
Policymakers Support Youth Court Growth - Voices and Recommendations from the Field By: Sarah S. Pearson (published in 2004; 9 pages)
To download a copy of this publication, click here.
Selected Topics on Youth Court: A Monograph Editor: Tracy Godwin Mullins (Published in 2004, 118 pages)
Developed by the American Probation and Parole Association/Council of State Governments which administered the National Youth Court Center, this monograph features papers on the following six topics:
Addressing Truancy in Youth Court Programs
Underage Drinking and Other Substance Abuse: Opportunities for Prevention and Intervention by Youth Courts
An Overview of School-Based Youth Court Program Design Options
Building Culturally Relevant Youth Courts in Tribal Communities
A Comparison of Statewide Youth Court Associations and Networking Groups
Media Access Guidelines for Youth Courts
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Every youth court can relate a favorite anecdote or two about how its program has had a positive impact on individuals and their communities. Maybe it’s a story about a former respondent who joined youth court as a volunteer after completing his youth court disposition, and later in life became an attorney. Or, maybe it is a story about a shy young girl who never felt confident enough to speak up in class before she volunteered for youth court and had an opportunity to learn and practice public speaking skills on a regular basis.
The “success stories” included within this document are heartwarming and a joy to read. They remind us of the wonderful benefits that youth court programs offer to our nation’s young people, families, and communities.
To download a copy of this publication, click here .
Street Law for Youth Courts: Educational Workshops By: Lena Morreale Scott (Published 2001; Revised 2002; Revised 2006)
Developed by Street Law, Incorporated, through a subcontract with the National Youth Court Center and OJJDP, Street Law for Youth Courts: Educational Workshops is designed as an information resource for youth courts when establishing their educational workshops/programs. These interactive lessons focus on the most frequent offenses for which youth are referred to youth court: theft, possession of alcohol, possession of marijuana, vandalism, and traffic violations. The lessons include instructor's guides, lesson plans, and handouts for youth participants. The lessons are designed to initiate a law-related education program as sentencing options for youth court offender. The lessons also may be used to train youth court volunteers.
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To download a copy of this publication, click here
Teen Courts: A Closer look in the D.C. Region Author(s): The Urban Institute, Jeffrey A. Butts Posted: August 01, 2001
To view this publication, click here. Teen Courts: A Focus on Research By: Jeffrey A. Butts and Janeen Buck (OJJDP Juvenile Justice Bulletin; published October 2000; 16 pages)
This bulletin provides information on characteristics of teen court programs, as gathered by the Evaluation of Teen Courts Project, and the operational and managerial problems they face. It also summarizes the evaluation literature on teen courts.
To order a copy of this bulletin (free of charge), contact:
Juvenile Justice Clearinghouse1-800-851-3420Reference number NCJ 183472
To download a copy of this bulletin, click here. Teen Courts: A Promising Prevention Strategy? Author(s): The Urban Institute, Jeffrey A. Butts Posted: July 30, 2001
The Impact of Teen Court on Young Offenders By: Jeffrey A. Butts, Janeen Buck, and Mark B. Coggeshall (Published in April 2002; 48 pages)
This is the first report of findings from the Evaluation of Teen Courts Project, which was conducted by the Urban Institute and funded by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice.
The Evaluation of Teen Courts Project studied teen courts in four states: Alaska, Arizona, Maryland, and Missouri. Researchers measured pre-court attitudes and post-court recidivism among more than 500 juveniles referred to teen court for nonviolent offenses, such as shoplifting and vandalism. The study compared recidivism outcomes for teen court defendants with outcomes for youth handled by the regular juvenile justice system.
To order this publication ($9.50, Pub ID# 410457), contact:
Urban Institute PressIn the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area call (202) 261-5687Outside the D.C. area, call toll-free: 1-877-UIPRESSFax: (202) 467-5775E-mail:
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To download a copy of this publication, click here.
The Organization and Operation of Teen Courts in the United States: A Comparative Analysis of Legislation By Michelle E. Heward, J.D. (published in 2002, 17 pages)
To download a copy of this publications, click here.
The Role of Conflict Resolution in Youth Courts: Expanding Life Skills for Our Youth By Marc D. Steiner (Posted in 2000; Online article)
This online article discusses the benefits of incorporating conflict resolution skill building as part of the youth court competency development component for defendants and for volunteers. It also introduces readers to a 6-step group problem-solving by consensus model that youth court jurors/judge panelists can be taught.
The Role of Restorative Justice in Teen Courts: A Preliminary Look By: Tracy M. Godwin (published in 2001; 8 pages)
In March 2000, the American Probation and Parole Association convened a focus group to examine and discuss the role of restorative justice in teen court programs (also called youth and peer courts). The panel consisted of persons working actively in teen courts and persons working actively in more traditional restorative justice-based programs.
This paper provides a brief overview of restorative justice principles and addresses several key issues the focus group members identified that serve as a promising foundation from which teen courts can begin to move toward integrating more restorative justice-based practices within their programs. Key issues discussed include how youth courts can rethink the role of victims and the community within their programs, how youth courts can alter the way that their proceedings and practices are structured, and how youth courts can rethink and redefine sentencing options so that they are based on the restorative justice philosophy.
The State of the World's Children 2003 reports on child participation - the ‘right’ of every child at every age, the responsibility of governments, organizations and families, and a way to promote tolerance, respect for human rights, an appreciation of diversity and peace. The report showcases examples from every region of the world of how things are different when children’s viewpoints are taken into account. Photos and artwork are by children. The report includes 9 tables, including a new addition on HIV/AIDS, and 3 maps, which together present a comprehensive set of economic and social indicators on the well-being of children worldwide.
To download a copy of this publication, click here.
The Sudden Popularity of Teen Court Author(s): Jeffrey A. Butts, Janeen Buck Posted: March 01, 2002
Youth Cases for Youth Courts Author: Margaret Fisher
This referral guide is designed to help new youth court make decisions about what types of cases to hear in youth court and to provide existing youth courts with advice from the field on how to approach expanding the types of cases that they hear.
To download a copy of this publication, click here .
Youth Court Volunteer Training Package By: Margaret E. Fisher (Published in 2001)
Based on the National Youth Court Guidelines, these instructional resources for youth court staff offer high-quality materials for training youth court volunteers. They provide trainers with the opportunity to model the qualities inherent to effective youth courts and to examine some of the universal moral principles and common codes of behavior that underlie legal systems - honesty, respect, responsibility, and compassion.
The complete training package includes:
Guide for Trainers with lessons for all youth court models on topics such as the American justice system, balanced and restorative justice, conducting a hearing and deliberating on a disposition.
Youth Volunteer Handbooks for adult judge, youth judge, youth tribunal, and peer jury program models.
Changing Lives: America’s Youth Court, a short video introducing the concept of youth courts.
CD to tailor materials to local needs.
The Youth Volunteer Training Package materials may be purchased as a packaged set or individual items can be ordered. Specify Product Code Number (PC#) when ordering. Discounted rates available for bulk orders on volunteer handbooks.
Full set training package PC# 4970104P
$45.00
Guide for Trainers PC# 4970105
$ 6.00
Adult Judge Volunteer Handbook PC# 4970108
$ 3.50
Youth Judge Volunteer Handbook PC# 4970111
$ 3.50
Peer Jury Volunteer Handbook PC# 4970109
$ 3.50
Changing Lives: America’s Youth Court Video PC# 4970106
$25.00
To order, contact:
American Bar Association Service Center1-800-285-2221
Youth Court: A Community Solution for Embracing At-Risk Youth – A National Update By Sarah S. Pearson and Sonia Jurich (Published in 2005; 32 pages)
Youth court is rapidly expanding alternative to the juvenile justice system for young people who have committed non-violent offenses, growing from 78 programs in 1994 to 1,050 in August 2005. The goal of this report, developed by the American Youth Policy Forum, is to provide policymakers and the public with an overview of youth court programs including their characteristics and benefits. A great resource for national data regarding youth served, who benefits from youth courts existence, recidivism, average operating costs, etc.
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To download a copy of this publication, click here.
Youth Court: A National Movement Technical Assistance Bulletin #17
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Youth Court: A Path to Civic Engagement September 2003
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Youth Courts: Civic Engagement and Character Education Through Juvenile Accountability A Forum - December 2001
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Youth Courts: Young People Delivering Justice
More frequently across the United States, young people are delivering justice to their peers who have engaged in their first delinquent act or other problem behavior. At the same time, these young people are learning important citizenship knowledge and skills. Youth courts, also known as teen courts and peer juries, involve volunteers from 8 to 18 years of age in sentencing their peers for crimes, traffic infractions, or school rule violations.
Instead of being ignored by the juvenile court system for a minor offense, youth court respondents1 confront and address the impact of their behavior on all victims. Instead of just paying a fine in traffic court, youth who commit traffic infractions explore the impact of their careless driving and have a chance to find out more about the harm they caused. Instead of being suspended from school for multiple truancies, youth court respondents learn what impact truancy has on themselves, their families, their schoolmates, and the community. In each case, young people get a chance to make up for the harm they caused and develop needed competencies.
This Roadmap examines the nature, structure, and benefits of youth courts and explores the roles played by a variety of government and community entities. It highlights examples of successful youth courts throughout the United States – ones based in juvenile justice settings, community settings, and school settings. It spotlights unique innovations in youth courts and discusses statewide associations that play a role in supporting and networking youth courts within a state.
To download a copy of this publication, click here .
