Actions taken by the criminal justice system have long-term repercussions on offenders, especially when those offenders are first time juvenile offenders. The stigma of being involved in in-court proceedings can be very damaging to both the child and the child-parent relationship. It is for these reasons that the Office of the Attorney General of Illinois created the Illinois Youth Court Association (“IYCA”) in 2000. The IYCA assists communities with developing youth courts, enhancing existing programs, and with sharing information between programs. Youth courts, also called “teen courts” or “peer juries”, are programs in which youths administer justice to peers in cases concerning both criminal and school rule violations. Youth courts generally serve non-violent, first-time, juvenile respondents as an alternative to traditional school discipline. Youth courts benefit the community, victims, respondents, and volunteers because they foster collaboration between schools, the juvenile justice system, and the community, creating a more impactful and positive method to handling juvenile justice. Youth courts help lighten the load of family and juvenile courts by diverting respondents out of the juvenile court system and provide a more positive path that has led to lower recidivism rates in communities that implement the youth court system. In addition, these youth offenders become more actively involved in their community and school, promoting positive peer relationships.
While youth courts operate in many different ways and for different purposes, there are some common elements. To be able to participate in these programs the respondents must voluntarily participate, admit guilt, and have allegedly committed a non-serious offense. These programs are youth-led with an adult moderator to guide jurors when needed. Depending on the program, youths may volunteer as jurors, attorneys, bailiffs, or judges. There are four basic models of youth courts, with each having a different structure. First, there is the “Adult Judge Model,” in which youths act as jurors and as defense and prosecuting attorneys. An adult acts as judge and presides over the hearing. Next, there is the “Youth Judge Model,” in which youths act as judge, jurors, defense and prosecuting attorneys. There is also the “Youth Tribunal Model,” in which three youths act as a panel of judges who ask the respondent questions and determine a disposition. Finally, in the “Peer Jury Model,” a jury of youths volunteers to ask the respondent questions and determine a disposition. This is the most common model in Illinois. These programs are beneficial to the respondent because it keeps them from going through the typical adversarial system, as well as beneficial for the volunteers. It provides students, who may have an interest in the justice system with an opportunity to learn and become actively involved in the trials and tribunals. It also provides the community with an opportunity to heal from the wrongdoing the juvenile may have done by becoming involved in the justice system.