Teen court success should inspire others, study says

By Steve Sharp of the Daily Times staff
Tuesday, January 31, 2006 1:02 PM CST

JEFFERSON - Jefferson County's Teen Court has been so successful since its inception in 1998 that it should be expanded and used as a model for other counties, according to authors of a study on the program.

According to those who conducted the cost-benefit analysis at the University of Wisconsin-Madison La Follette School of Public Affairs, the program produces net benefits of at least $75,400 annually to Jefferson County and has proven effective in stemming teens' criminal recidivism.

The study was commissioned by the Jefferson County Delinquency Prevention Council to provide a benchmark by which county-level juvenile justice programs can be compared and evaluated by local and state policymakers.

The study's authors recommended not only the continuation of the program, but expanding the program to all Jefferson County youths, including repeat offenders and those who commit more serious offenses. It further recommended that other counties use the Jefferson County teen court program as a model.

Jefferson County has successfully addressed juvenile crime with limited state funding, according to program representatives. The report contains reliable and verifiable evidence that the county has a model juvenile justice program where state and local funds are money well spent.

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The study's authors examined the teen court's value in terms of avoided juvenile justice system costs, avoided future victimization and criminal justice system costs and benefits to the community. The report's framework for comparison included the costs, benefits, and outcomes for participants in the teen court programs vs. the costs, benefits, and outcomes they would have faced in the traditional juvenile justice system.

Teen court offers first-time and minor repeat offenders the opportunity to have their case heard and be sentenced by a jury of teens. The teen court jury does not determine guilt or innocence. It serves as a sentencing court. Offenders must admit guilt and agree to accept the sentence levied by the jury. The jury, bailiff, prosecuting and defense attorneys are teens, most of whom are former youth offenders. The only adult with an active role is a volunteer judge. The judges' roster currently includes Jefferson County District Attorney David Wambach and community business leaders.

Court is held three times per month, two times at the Jefferson County Courthouse and once at the Whitewater Municipal Building. Court is occasionally held in the offender's hometown if transportation is an issue.

The most common offenses tried by teen court involve theft, fights, underage drinking, or marijuana use.

Teen court accepts referrals from all Jefferson County municipalities, the Department of Human Services, and local school districts. It will hear cases involving any offense the referring agency deems appropriate.

The Jefferson County teen court program began in 1998. Since that time, 369 youths have completed the program. Only 7 percent have become repeat offenders. In addition, a study conducted by the University of Wisconsin-Extension found that the program is a model for positive youth development, and youths who participate in the program show improved self-esteem, improved public speaking and decision-making skills, among other assets.

The Jefferson County Teen Court is a Delinquency Prevention Council program that is operated by Opportunities, Inc., a private, nonprofit organization that contracts with Jefferson County to administer several youth crime prevention and intervention programs.

Director of the program, Kris Moelter told the Daily Times today that she feels the Jefferson County program has been successful for two reasons.

“Number one, we get to the kids early and ‘prevention dollars' are the best dollars you can spend in situations like this,” she said. “I also think it is effective because it promotes skills in the kids and also gives them a sense of ‘ownership' in the community. The sentences that are imposed are taken very seriously - they are not just viewed as ‘busy work.'”