Pubdate: Wed, 29 May 2002
Source: Free Press, The (NC)
Copyright: 2002 Kinston Free Press
Contact: http://www.kinston.com/Contact.cfm
Website: http://www.kinston.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1732
Author: Corrinne Hess

TEENS TO FACE TRIAL BY PEERS

Teens facing misdemeanor charges might no longer be tried by a judge and 
jury, but by a group much tougher - their peers.

Teen Court was recently approved for Lenoir County. First-time offenders 
between the ages of 6 and 18, charged with alcohol and drug use, larceny, 
simple assault and other minor offenses, are eligible for Teen Court.

"The key is the juvenile has to admit he has done something wrong," said 
Guardian ad Litem District Administrator Colleen Kosinski. "If the offender 
cooperates and completes his sentence, they won't have a criminal record."

Kosinski said Teen Court is something the Lenoir County Juvenile Crime 
Prevention Council has wanted to do for a few years.

The council was given a $224,974 grant from the state Department of 
Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. After all of the money 
earmarked for other programs was spent, $24,078 was left over to implement 
the Teen Court Program.

Kosinski hopes to begin Teen Court in late September. Court sessions will 
be held in the Lenoir County Courthouse in the evenings.

District Attorney Branson "Branny" Vickory said Teen Court is an excellent 
opportunity for youngsters with one misdemeanor charge.

"Sometimes it means a little more to a child if they are sentenced by 
someone their own age," Vickory said. "I think it is a wise use of JCPC 
money. So far, I haven't seen a downside to the program."

Kosinski said high school students will be asked to volunteer to serve on 
the jury, prosecute the case or defend the juvenile. A judge or district 
attorney will preside over the proceedings.

The jury can fine the offender or sentence him to community service or 
rehabilitation classes. Jurors are given penalty guidelines.

"The highest sentence is 20 hours of community service, 20 hours of an 
education program and a financial payment," said Sudie Davis, executive 
director of Community in Schools in Wayne County.

Wayne County has used the Teen Court program since April 2000. Wayne County 
is among about 20 counties in the state participating in Teen Court.

Davis said she is thrilled the program will now expand to Lenoir County. 
"The program has grown by leaps and bounds in Wayne County," Davis said. 
"The only drawback is we keep having kids referred to us. Our grant was to 
serve 40 kids, but we'll probably see 75 to 80 kids this year."

Kosinski said Teen Court has been a proven model throughout the state.

"It can impact the kids and keep them out of trouble," she said. "Anytime 
you can keep the lable of court involved' off of a kid, it's a good thing."
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