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Midland Teen Court MissionMidland Teen Court provides an alternative system of justice for youth to promote accountability and community engagement. Core Values: Integrity, Honesty, Respect, Education, Service, Caring, Ethics, Fairness, Self Respect, Leadership, Civic Participation, Citizenship, Voluntarism, Accountability, Trustworthiness Slogan: Teens helping Teens Vision: A community where youth are inspired to become good citizens If MISD Schools are cancelled or the Midland County Courthouse is closed then Midland Teen Court office will also be closed and cancel court sessions.
What is Midland Teen Court? Midland Teen Court is a "hands on" educational opportunity that allows both offenders and teen volunteers to experience, thus better understand, our system of justice. A youth who has a case deferred to Midland Teen Court appears before a jury of peers and receives a "constructive sentence." The jury is made up of secondary school volunteers and youth who are serving as part of their sentence. Evidence from Midland indicates that young people are more likely to stay out of trouble following a Teen Court appearance thus saving the community hundreds of thousands of dollars. Midland Teen Court works to interrupt developing patterns of
illegal behavior by motivating youth for self-improvement, developing healthy
attitudes toward authority, and increasing self-esteem. Teen Court stresses the
responsibility and accountability of each individual for his actions. Service on
a Midland Teen Court jury challenges individual youth to perform at the highest
level of ability. Teen Court also educates youth in preparation for life
responsibilities as an individual, family member and citizen. Midland Teen Court Discipline Grid The teen jury sets constructive sentences within the set discipline grid. The ranks include, but are not limited to, the following:
FAILURE TO APPEAR TO HAVE A CASE HEARD ON A SET COURT DATE WILL INCREASE THE RANK OF THE CASE (AND THUS THE SENTENCING RANGE) ONE LEVEL..
Students who have received Class C misdemeanor citations Volunteers
from 7th grade through high school Frequently asked questions: How does a student, who has received a citation, enroll in Midland Teen Court? What do students with citations have to do to complete Midland Teen Court? Where and when is Midland Teen Court held? Is there a dress code for Midland Teen Court?
Dear Parent(s) & Community Friends: Your child, like many of our children, is fortunate to have his or her first experience with our judicial system through Midland Teen Court. Since its founding Teen Court has been funded primarily by the City, the County, Midland Independent School District, and previously by the Junior League of Midland, Inc. Because the participation of each of these funding entities is decided year by year, Teen Court needs financial support from other sources in order to insure its uninterrupted continuation. We need and would appreciate your financial help. Consider what Teen Court may have done for you: saved you an increase on your monthly insurance; kept your child’s record clean while still teaching a lesson; provided framework of positive peer pressure and discipline; given your child an opportunity to make amends to the community through volunteer service; given your child a reason not to repeat a mistake. We are pleased you are receiving these benefits, and we are counting on your support. Contributions may be
mailed to:
Contact Information
Mary Beck, Executive Director
Midland Teen Court held its first court session on September 22,1986. The Junior League of Midland, Inc. began Midland Teen Court as a project of the Junior League in coordination with the City, County, and Midland ISD. Midland Teen Court incorporated as an independent non-profit organization in 1993 and received nonprofit recognition under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. (All contributions should be deductible to the extent allowed by law.) A governing board comprised of members of the community at large as well as representatives of the funding bodies and the judiciary oversees the program. Midland Teen Court is a Charter Member of Teen Court Association of Texas, a Partner of the Nonprofit Management Center of the Permian Basin, and a member of the Midland Chamber of Commerce. Authority for Teen Court Chapter 45, 45.052, Texas Code of Criminal Procedure
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Send mail to
mbeck@midlandteencourt.org with
questions or comments about this web site.
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