Monongalia County Teen Court 2026-2027

06/17/2026

Attention Monongalia County Teens and Parents!!!

🌟 Looking for a Positive Way to Help Your Teen Grow? 🌟

Teen Court is now accepting referrals and new volunteers!

For Parents:
If your child has made a mistake and could benefit from a positive, educational disciplinary program, Teen Court offers an opportunity for accountability, personal growth, and learning from peers in a supportive environment.

For Teens:
Want to build leadership skills, gain public speaking experience, learn about the legal system, and make a difference in your community? Join Teen Court as a volunteer attorney, juror, bailiff, or clerk! No experience is required—we provide training.

⚖️ What We Offer:
✅ Mock Trial Preparation
✅ Hands-On Legal Experience
✅ Leadership Development
✅ Community Service Hours
✅ Public Speaking Skills
✅ Fun Activities & Team-Building Events
✅ Opportunities to Serve Your Community

Whether you're interested in the law, helping others, or simply trying something new, Teen Court is a great place to get involved.

📍 Open to youth volunteers and families seeking a constructive alternative disciplinary program.

📩 Message us or text 304-504-3079 to learn more or sign up!

05/20/2026

05/19/2026

💙JOIN OUR TEAM💙

ChildLaw Services, Inc. is seeking a motivated full-time attorney to join our legal team in Princeton, WV. We are a non-profit law firm that exclusively represents children in West Virginia, mainly through court-appointed work. Our areas of practice include but are not limited to abuse and neglect, juvenile delinquency, juvenile status offense, guardianship, adoption, and felony victim representation.

This position is partially grant funded. The role will focus on providing preventive legal services to children and families that have been affected by the op**te epidemic in Mercer and McDowell counties. Casework will focus on prevention services that can be offered to families to prevent children from being removed from their home. The role will focus on providing quality Guardian ad litem representation in court appointed child abuse and neglect proceedings.

This position is ideal for a licensed attorney looking to engage in rewarding work with vulnerable populations. The ideal candidate should enjoy interacting and working with children and working in a collaborative environment. We are innovative and our goal is to give a voice to children. We also provide empowering programming to children in the communities we serve.

The position will be based out of Princeton, West Virginia. The Staff Attorney will primarily practice in Mercer and McDowell counties.

The ideal candidate will have excellent research and writing skills, a strong understanding of the law, and a commitment to providing exceptional service to our clients in and out of court. The ideal candidate will be committed to adhering to grant requirements, grant tracking, and grant reporting.

Please contact us for more info 304-425-9973

05/19/2026

📚 Truancy Isn’t “Just Missing School.”

When students miss school consistently, the impact goes far beyond attendance records. Truancy can lead to:

• Falling behind academically
• Increased behavioral concerns
• Mental health struggles
• Disconnection from peers and positive activities
• Greater risk of juvenile court involvement later on

At Monongalia County Teen Court, we believe accountability should come with support, guidance, and second chances.

Many young people facing truancy challenges are dealing with things adults may not immediately see — anxiety, unstable home environments, transportation barriers, bullying, family stress, or feeling overwhelmed.

That’s why diversion programs and early intervention matter. Teen Court focuses on helping youth rebuild structure, responsibility, and confidence while connecting families with resources and support systems.

School attendance matters — not because perfection is expected, but because consistency creates opportunity.

If you’re a parent, educator, or community member interested in learning more about Teen Court or getting involved, we’d love to connect.

https://sites.google.com/view/moncountyteencourt?usp=sharing

Our Mission Empowering youth through restorative justice. Teen Court offers first-time youth offenders an opportunity to take responsibility for their actions, learn from their mistakes, and make amends — without entering the formal juvenile justice system.

05/18/2026

Recidivism is a big word with an even bigger impact.

It means someone continues to reoffend after entering the justice system — and for many youth, one mistake can quickly turn into a pattern without the right support, accountability, and guidance.

That’s why Teen Court matters.

Instead of simply punishing young people, Teen Court focuses on:
• Accountability
• Education
• Community service
• Positive peer influence
• Skill-building and mentorship

Research consistently shows that diversion programs like Teen Court can help reduce recidivism by addressing the root causes behind behavior before youth become deeply involved in the justice system.

Every young person deserves the opportunity to learn from a mistake instead of being defined by it.

At Mon County Teen Court, we believe rehabilitation works best when a community comes together to support growth, responsibility, and second chances. 💙

Interested in getting involved as a volunteer, juror, mentor, or community partner? Reach out to learn more.

https://sites.google.com/view/moncountyteencourt?usp=sharing

Our Mission Empowering youth through restorative justice. Teen Court offers first-time youth offenders an opportunity to take responsibility for their actions, learn from their mistakes, and make amends — without entering the formal juvenile justice system.

05/15/2026

📣 WHAT IS TEEN COURT — AND WHY DOES IT MATTER?

Many people have heard of Teen Court, but don’t fully understand the impact it can have on young people in our community.

Monongalia County Teen Court is a diversion program designed to give eligible youth a second chance while still promoting accountability, growth, and responsibility.

Instead of immediately entering the traditional juvenile justice system, youth participants have the opportunity to:
• Accept responsibility for their actions
• Complete constructive sanctions and community service
• Learn from peers and mentors
• Develop decision-making and leadership skills
• Move forward without the long-term consequences that can come from deeper court involvement

One of the most unique aspects of Teen Court is that students themselves help make the program work. Youth volunteers serve in roles such as:
• Attorneys
• Jurors
• Clerks
• Advocates and mentors

Teen Court not only helps participants — it also helps student volunteers develop:
✔ Public speaking skills
✔ Leadership experience
✔ Confidence
✔ Knowledge of the legal system
✔ College and career-building experience

Programs like Teen Court are important because they focus on rehabilitation, accountability, and education rather than simply punishment. Early intervention and positive mentorship can truly change the trajectory of a young person’s life.

If you are a student, parent, educator, or community member interested in learning more about Teen Court or getting involved in Monongalia County, feel free to reach out or follow along as I continue sharing information about juvenile law, youth advocacy, and community resources.

05/03/2026

☀️ School’s almost out… but your impact doesn’t have to be.

As the semester wraps up, we know everyone’s ready for a break — but summer is the perfect time to do something meaningful.

👩‍⚖️ Monongalia County Teen Court is now accepting teen volunteers for the summer!

If you’re looking to:
• Build confidence speaking in front of others
• Learn real courtroom skills
• Earn community service hours
• Be part of something that actually makes a difference

This is your opportunity.

No experience needed — we’ll teach you everything.

💼 Whether you want to be an attorney, juror, or just try something new, there’s a place for you here.

📩 Interested? Email us at [email protected] or text us at 304-504-7055 to get started!

Let’s make this a summer that means something.

05/03/2026

This weekend, I had the opportunity to attend the National Association of Youth Courts Conference in Las Vegas and represent Monongalia County, Morgantown, West Virginia—and I’m leaving incredibly inspired.

Connecting with youth court leaders, attorneys, educators, and advocates from across the country was a powerful reminder of the impact this work has on our communities. Hearing innovative ideas, sharing best practices, and seeing the passion behind each program reinforced why I’m so committed to this space.

Youth courts are more than diversion programs—they are platforms for accountability, growth, and leadership. They give young people a second chance while empowering them to be part of the solution.

I’m excited to bring new ideas, strategies, and energy back to Monongalia County Teen Court. There’s so much potential to expand, strengthen, and continue making a meaningful difference.

Grateful for the experience, the connections, and the renewed motivation to keep building something that matters.

Excited to bring brand new ideas to our Teen Court!

- Alexyss Coles, Esq.
Monongalia County Teen Court Coordinator
ChildLaw Services, Inc.