A program of the YWCA Southern Arizona, Pima County Teen Court is a peer-led juvenile court diversion program that uses the principles of restorative justice, service learning, and positive youth development to prevent juvenile crime recidivism. Teen Court accepts referrals from Pima County Juvenile Court for youth ages 12-17 who were arrested for crimes approved for diversion by the court. Youths enter Teen Court by participating in a hearing where they account for the behavior that led up to their arrest, receive feedback from teens in the community on how to repair the harm they caused, and are sentenced by a peer jury to complete a set of constructive consequences that are designed to impart consequences for their crimes, address the harm caused, restore relationships, and increase participants’ knowledge and skills. The unique aspect of Teen Court is that trained youth volunteers serve as attorneys, bailiffs, clerks, and jurors. Positive peer influence and parental involvement drive the program.
