Sioux Empire Teen Court

Teen Court is a voluntary program that presents an alternative approach to the Juvenile court.  Juvenile offenders, age 14 to 17 years old are sentenced for their crime by a jury of their peers.  Teen volunteer attorneys present offender's cases to the peer jury.  Upon successful completion of the program, the State Attorney dismisses the offender's case and no formal court record is filed.

By providing this opportunity, youth are given a chance to maintain a clean record, while still being held accountable.  The program saves tax dollars, the cost of judges, prosecutors, probation officers, and clerical staff.  This gives the juvenile court more time to address more serious matters requiring court intervention.