Teen courts may be more effective than traditional justice systems

By Staff Writer

In South Dakota, law enforcement officials have instituted a new type of criminal justice system. Teen court, which was designed as an alternative to juvenile court, allows adolescents to act as jurors, bailiffs, clerks, prosecutors and defense attorneys, Tonic reports. The only adults present are the judge, who works in the juvenile court system, and parent volunteers.

The after-school program allows students to decide on the punishments for their peers' crimes. According to the news source, there are approximately 1,250 similar teen courts in 49 states. The offenses range from under-age alcohol consumption to petty theft.

In Texas, a total of 19 of these courts exist, and they boast a combined 87 percent success rate, which is higher than the formal court system.

According to the news source, teens are more apt to judge their peers harshly and let the judge know when they think the defendant is lying.

According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, violence prevention programs for younger adolescents should include efforts to reduce troublesome behavior in school and improve poor academic performance.