Teen Court is a diversionary program available to first-time youth offenders. Florida has 50 Teen Courts, roughly one per populated county, with Orange County having one of the busiest Teen Courts in the state. The program diverts teenagers away from becoming another statistic in the legal system and provides them with a chance to acknowledge their wrongdoing and take the necessary steps to prevent recidivism.
The prosecutor, defense attorneys, bailiffs, clerks, and all jurors are all teenagers under the age of 18. The purpose of the court is not to decide innocence or guilt as individuals must admit to their respective crimes to gain admittance to the program. What the court does decide, however, is the implementation of sanctions like essays, community service, and jail tours. The program also requires all participants to stand up and issue a sincere apology to either or both parents.
This program can be highly beneficial for a teen who’d like to get a much-needed second chance, but it is best made possible with the help of an Orlando teen court lawyer. Reach out to a juvenile criminal defense lawyer with The Umansky Law Firm to discuss your teenager’s legal options.
Those who end up at Teen Court arrive upon a recommendation from court counselors, school resource officers, judges, and law enforcement officers. The program is exclusive to first offenders who are not accused of committing the following:
Individuals facing such charges must go through juvenile court or the circuit court for their respective crimes. The types of charges that many Teen Court attendees have been admitted to include:
Teen Court is both voluntary and confidential. Successful completion of the program results in the individual avoiding school suspension/expulsion and the original charge being dismissed. The diversion program also allows individuals to dispose of their cases in a third of the time it would take if one were to go through the juvenile court system.
The ninth judicial court of Florida explains that Teen Court “… provides the following:
These options are otherwise unavailable in a traditional court of law and can be highly beneficial for a teenager who may be experiencing his first run-in with the law. Ensure that your teenager isn’t unjustly prosecuted by securing legal services from an experienced Orlando teen court lawyer.
If your teen is facing criminal penalties for his or her first criminal offense, you can benefit from speaking with an experienced lawyer. The founder of the firm, William Umansky has volunteered as a Teen Court Judge for over 15 years. The Orlando teen court lawyers at The Umansky Law Firm can analyze case facts and help determine whether Teen Court is a viable option for your child. Contact us today for a free case evaluation.
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