generally includes training, a modified bar exam, peer mentoring and compliance with a code of conduct. Many youth courts establish a youth bar association or ethics body which helps to set guidelines for ethical and fair procedure. Because cases heard by teen courts are real cases, participants in teen court programs are required to sign an oath of confidentiality regarding any information which comes to their knowledge in the course of the teen court case presentation. State-approved teen courts implement restorative justice and attempt to reintegrate the youth offender to the community while sending appropriate messages to the offender regarding unacceptable behavior. The basic principles of restorative justice are community protection, competency development, and accountability. This system seeks to address the root causes of juvenile offenses and to reduce recidivism. The recidivism rates for standard programs in several states range from 6%-9%, which is less than half of the traditional recidivism rate for juvenile offenders, which hovers around 20%. Restorative justice principles require the offender to make amends to the victim and/or the community and provide opportunities for victims and community members to participate in the juvenile justice process, providing valued input in decision making. Because of the active role the victim plays, qualitative assessments can be made into victim impact and victim satisfaction. See also Arbitration Conflict resolution research Dispute resolution Family therapy Mediation Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Restorative justice Youth crime Youth justice in England and Wales Youth voice References External links National Association of Youth Courts - comprehensive website on youth courts (established in 2007), Baltimore, Maryland. United Youth Courts of Alaska website Arizona Teen Court Association website Florida Association of Teen Courts website New York State Youth Courts Association website Youth Courts in Law-Related Education - from the Education Resources Information Center Clearinghouse for Social Studies/Social Science Education, Bloomington, Indiana. Youth Courts International website Global Youth Justice Website Courts by type Juvenile courts Dispute resolution