Name The Four Models Of Teen Courts In The U.S.

Name the Four Models of Teen Courts in the U.S. and Their Uses

The four models of teen courts used in the United States today are the adult judge model, youth judge model, tribunal model, and peer jury model. Among these, the adult judge model is the most frequently used, accounting for nearly half of all teen courts (Martin & Van Cleave, 2018). This model involves a participating adult judge overseeing the proceedings, providing a judicial process that resembles traditional courts. The youth judge model features a juvenile judge, usually a young person trained to preside over cases. The tribunal model relies on a panel of community members or professionals to decide the cases, often including social workers or volunteers. Lastly, the peer jury model involves a group of peers—juvenile offenders or their classmates—who determine the disposition and sentence, emphasizing peer influence and accountability. The prevalence of the adult judge model is attributed to its resemblance to the formal judicial process, which can lend credibility and structure to the proceedings (Martin & Van Cleave, 2018). The dispositions used in teen courts vary, but community service is the most common (Hockenberry & Puzzanchera, 2017). Other dispositions include victim apology letters, essays, jury duty, drug or alcohol education classes, and monetary restitution. The benefits of teen courts include promoting accountability, reduced recidivism, and fostering community engagement, which can lead to positive behavioral change among juvenile offenders (Bazemore & Walgrave, 2018). Such courts are instrumental in supplementing traditional juvenile justice, emphasizing restorative justice principles while involving the community and offenders alike.

Paper For Above instruction

Teen courts are an innovative approach within the juvenile justice system designed to involve adolescents in the judicial process, promote accountability, and deter future offenses. The four primary models employed in U.S. teen courts include the adult judge, youth judge, tribunal, and peer jury models. Each model offers a distinct structure aimed at achieving these goals, yet some models are more prevalent than others.

The most dominant model is the adult judge model, which comprises nearly fifty percent of all teen courts nationally. This model mirrors traditional court proceedings by involving a licensed judge or a judicial officer who conducts hearings, evaluates case evidence, and determines the disposition (Martin & Van Cleave, 2018). The primary advantage of this model is its perceived legitimacy, as youth offenders interact with an authority figure comparable to real courts. It establishes a formal courtroom environment that can foster respect for legal procedures and encourage juveniles' acknowledgment of accountability. The youth judge model, although less frequently used, involves a juvenile who has been trained to preside over cases. This model aims to empower adolescents by giving them a role akin to judicial authority, fostering leadership and responsibility among participants. The tribunal and peer jury models emphasize community involvement, with panels composed of community members or peers rather than legal professionals (Bazemore & Walgrave, 2018).

Dispositions in teen courts play a vital role in the rehabilitation and accountability process. The most common disposition is community service, which encourages juveniles to give back to society and learn from their offenses (Hockenberry & Puzzanchera, 2017). Complementary dispositions include writing victim apology letters or essays, attending drug and alcohol education classes, performing jury duty within the teen court, and providing monetary restitution. These varied options aim to promote remorse, responsibility, and behavioral change, aligning with the restorative justice framework that underpins many teen courts. The use of such dispositions has been shown to reduce recidivism rates and foster positive attitudes toward the justice system (Bazemore & Walgrave, 2018).

In summary, teen courts serve as an effective alternative or supplement to traditional juvenile justice by emphasizing community participation, accountability, and rehabilitation. Among the four models, the adult judge model remains the most common, providing structure and legitimacy. Dispositions such as community service and apology letters are central to fostering responsibility and promoting societal reintegration for juvenile offenders.

References

• Bazemore, G., & Walgrave, L. (2018). Youth, justice, and community: Restorative justice perspectives. Routledge.
• Hockenberry, S., & Puzzanchera, C. (2017). Juvenile court statistics 2015. Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention.
• Martin, S. E., & Van Cleave, K. (2018). Juvenile justice: A purposeful approach. Sage Publications.