Teen Court is a successful early intervention program that provides an opportunity for selected juvenile offenders to be questioned, judged, and sentenced by a jury of their peers. Here is how it works: A minor accused of a low level, first-time offense is referred to Teen Court. A real judge presides over the case in a high school setting where students serve as bailiff, clerk, and jurors. Student jurors pose questions to the charged minor and her parents, reach a verdict, and, if there is a conviction, recommend the penalty. Minors who are convicted and comply with the probationary terms imposed by Teen Court will earn a dismissal of the charges. Serving as a Teen Court bailiff, clerk, or juror can often be a student’s first introduction to the legal system and has the potential to spark a life-long interest in the law. The experience can also impart a sense of civic responsibility and community in a court that is truly the students’ own.

The principal, faculty and students at Pasadena High School are all extremely enthusiastic about the Teen Court program – so much so that the school has actually constructed a courtroom on campus for the exclusive use of Pasadena Teen Court. Court takes place at Pasadena High School (2925 East Sierra Madre Boulevard, Building I, Room 208, Pasadena, CA 91107) from 3:30 pm to 5:30 pm on the second Thursday of every month. Our anticipated dates for this school year are September 14, 2017, October 12, 2017, November 9, 2017, December 14, 2017, January 11, 2018, February 8, 2018, March 8, 2018, April 12, 2018, and May 10, 2018.

If you are interested in volunteering at any of these Pasadena Teen Court sessions, or if you have any questions, please send an email to PasadenaTeenCourt@gmail.com or contact Judge Elaine Lu at (213) 830-0777.

Thanks so much for your support, and we hope to see you at an upcoming Pasadena Teen Court session!