By Rosario Torres

A

local high school student was sentenced by her peers this month for shoplifting a bracelet and brassiere from J.C Penny’s.

The Law Club at Lincoln gives students the chance to serve as peer jurors for youth convicted of minor crimes. The students attend Teen Court once a month to meet with the offending youth and their parents, to provide the appropriate sentencing or restitution to the community.

The Law Club is advised by Mr. Beattie, a Criminal Justice teacher in Public Safety. Beattie was aware of Teen Court because he participated with his former students at a previous high school. “It’s not just done in San Diego, it’s done nationally,” he said. Beattie and his students had to go through the process of filling out an application approved by our A.S.B. to get the club started.  The Law Club meets every Wednesday and Thursday from 2:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. in room 350.

“The majority of students go on to college,” said Beattie. “Teen Court has a positive impact in students' lives. Last year a student told me that he wanted to be an attorney.”

Senior Bria Chappell, takes on the role of President of the Law Club. Bria has been participating in Teen Court since she was a sophomore. “I joined because I aspire to be a lawyer and thought Law Club could provide me with the adequate resources,” Chappell said. She helps Beattie organize events for the members, plan meetings, and serves as a role model for underclassmen.

According to SAY (Social Advocates for Youth) San Diego, Teen Court is a juvenile diversion program. Teen Court staff and partners train the students on the juvenile justice system, civil rights, and the principle of restorative justice (repairing harm caused by one’s actions). Police and probation officers refer offending youth.

Once a month, students walk to 47 Street Trolley Station. Transit tickets are provided for free and are funded by the College Career and Technical Education. Beattie and his students get off at the Civic Center stop, where they enter court. Like any other court, they must pass metal detectors. Their afternoon consists of student offenders taking the stand, teen jurors observing and asking questions.  Then they team up to decide on a fair sentence for the offender.

The judges in charge of the courtroom are volunteers, who are actual federal or superior court judges or private attorneys.

The offender’s last name and school they go to must be kept confidential; the same goes for their parents.

According to Teen Court Supervisor, Brandon Johnson, Teen Court has a dual purpose. The first is to educate youth (student jurors) on the justice system and engage them on a civic level. The second is to decrease the probability of a first time juvenile from re-offending.

“We track our clients a year from the date of the offense that brought them to teen court to check if they have re-offended,” said Johnson. “Less than five percent of those who completed teen court commit another offense within that period.”

Johnson believes student jurors learn firsthand what some of the consequences are to committing crimes and are less likely to go down that path themselves. Teen Court brings out qualities in students such as leadership, public speaking, critical thinking, professionalism, and confidence.

“At first, it’s nerve wracking to speak in public at Teen Court, but it’s a comfortable setting and we are all learning at the same time,” said Chappell.

A juvenile offender, who was sentenced by the student jurors, agreed that her sentence was fair. She thinks she can complete her sentence of community service and more on time. “I could tell they [the student jurors] were teenagers,” she said. “I think adults would have been stricter.”

The juvenile offenders are sentenced and must return to court in 90 days to show completion of their sentence. “Most complete their sentence and don’t come back,” said Beattie.

According to Johnson, Teen Court gives first time offenders more attention and resources than the traditional court system.  “Teen Court is not a platform to punish teens, rather it’s goal and purpose is to help them,” said Johnson.

Sentencing consequences range from apology letters, reflective essays, research papers, community service, workshops, or recommended counseling, and participation in extracurricular activities.

“I learned stealing is serious, you only get one chance,” said the juvenile offender.