Sykes to address statewide teen court conference
Oct. 5, 1999
More than 100 judges, attorneys, law enforcement officials, teachers,
community leaders and others will discuss the current issues surrounding
Teen Court in Wisconsin at a statewide conference in Madison on
Thursday, October 7 from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Concourse
Hotel.
Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Diane Sykes, who will deliver the
keynote address at the luncheon, said: "Teen Courts present an excellent
opportunity for young people to engage in citizenship. A system of
alternative sentencing determined by a jury of peers benefits those
involved in the teen court process and the community at large. The
justice system alone can't reach kids this way."
The conference is sponsored by the Office of Justice Assistance, with
support from the Boys & Girls Club of Greater La Crosse, the State
Bar of Wisconsin, and the Governor's Juvenile Justice Commission. Topics
include starting a teen court, legal issues facing teen courts, and
balancing the needs of victims, offenders and the community.
Teen Courts represent an alternative approach to the traditional
juvenile justice system. Most teen courts accept first-time offenders
and require defendants to plead guilty prior to participation in the
program. Generally, juvenile offenders are held accountable to substance
use and other misdemeanor offenses and sentenced by a jury of their
peers to community service, counseling, restitution, and/or an apology
to their victim. Teen volunteers serve as jurors; some take on the role
of defense or prosecuting attorneys, clerks and bailiffs. Teen Courts
are a learning experience for everyone involved and an opportunity to
promote positive peer influence.
Wisconsin has approximately ten Teen Courts in operation and others
in the planning stages. The goal of the conference is to offer resources
to communities who want to start a teen court and to establish a
Wisconsin Teen Court Association to provide a solid network of support
for teen courts in all stages of operation.
