April 20, 2023 at 11:42 a.m.
Panelists needed for Oneida County teen court program
It is more than a club, as teen court is an official part of the municipal court system that provides an alternative for first time youth offenders, program advisers explained in a press release. Panelists use restorative practices to help youth learn from their mistakes, accept responsibility for their actions, restore their role in the community and move forward without a juvenile record. They do this by interviewing the offender and parent/guardian to try to find the root cause of the behavior. Then, panelists assign sanctions designed to help the youth avoid making similar decisions in the future.
Their decisions are final; if the offenders do not finish the sanctions on time, cases go back before a circuit judge.
According to the release, some of the benefits of being a teen court panelist include building communication and leadership skills; learning about the justice system; gaining experience working with individuals with diverse backgrounds; increasing problem-solving skills; and creating positive change in their peer groups, schools and communities. Students interested in pursuing careers in law, government policies, social work or counseling will find it especially beneficial, the release notes.
High school students who wish to become panelists need to have good listening skills, work well as part of a team and be trustworthy with confidential information. A high grade point average is not required, but panelists should be in good academic standing and able to maintain their grades while occasionally missing classes to hear cases.
There are three venues for hearing cases. Rhinelander High School students meet at the courthouse; Lakeland Union High School (LUHS) students meet on the LUHS campus; and all panelists are eligible to hear cases conducted over Zoom in the evening. Current 8th to 11th graders living in Oneida County may apply to become a panelist, as well as Vilas County students who attend LUHS and area homeschool students. Youth must complete and submit an application form and will be interviewed afterward.
For more information and panelist application materials, visit https://oneida.extension.wisc.edu/positive-youth-development/teencourt/ or contact Sharon Krause at [email protected] or call 608-381-2661.
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