The judicial branch of Tremper Student Government defines our Teen Court.  The composition of Teen Court includes a total of five judicial members:  four Judges and the Student Government Vice President of Student Services.  The Vice President of Student Services is an elected position each spring by the members of Student Government.  The Judges are selected after application and interview by the Vice President of Student Services, the Assistant Principal of Instruction, the Attendance Officer, and the Police Liaison Officer.  The expectations of this Judicial Committee include respectful understanding of school policies, objective decision-making skills, high regard for maintaining confidentiality, and consistent communication with meticulous details.

 Objective

The intent of Teen Court is to provide an alternative method for student discipline that promotes peer review, appropriate consequences, and opportunity to rectify inappropriate behaviors.

 Procedures

1. Students will be referred by the Office of Student Management and/or the Attendance Office to Teen Court.  Teen Court will determine consequences, NOT innocence.  Guilt is already assigned when referrals are sent to Teen Court.

2. A Teen Court Referral Form will be submitted to the Vice President of Student Services.

3. The Referral Form will include an explanation of the Teen Court System to allow for parent permission with student participation in the alternative discipline process.  Referral Forms will be sent home for approval and signatures by the parent/guardian of the referred student.

4. The Vice President of Student Services will meet with the Judges weekly during advisory on Thursdays to review potential court cases that have been returned with parent/guardian permission, and the Judicial Committee will assign dates and times for Hearings.

5. Hearings will be conducted at times best suited for involved parties and the Judicial Committee.  An emphasis will be placed on quick review and follow up.  The guilty student is expected to be present at the Hearing.  A minimum of three Judicial Committee members will conduct the Hearing.

6. Final decisions regarding consequences will be made by the end of the day on Hearing dates.  A Disposition Agreement Forms will be sent home for parent/guardian and student signatures.

7. Disposition will be tracked by the Judicial Committee and the Office of Student Management to ensure required follow-up takes place and future effectiveness can be monitored.  Those students who do not attend the Hearing will be referred back to the Office of Student Management for further consequences.

Scope and Consequences

The scope of infractions that Teen Court will consider through formal referrals includes:

• Academic Dishonesty (repeat classroom unprepared-ness, refusing to do assigned work)

• Disrespectful Behaviors (inappropriate language, verbal assault toward others, lunchroom misbehavior)

• Repeat Tardiness (excessive Sweeps and late school arrival)

• Chronic Truancy

• School Service Hours (cleaning, stocking, etc)

• Letter of Apology (to other students, to parents, and/or to school staff)

• School Counseling Participation (Anger Management, Sweeps Group, Tobacco or Drug Group, other)