PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION
Two Illinois counties, Pike and Adams, have experienced a steady increase in juvenile crimes during the past decade, with a 23 percent jump in the number of court cases from 1993 to 1995. Circuit courts and probation departments in both counties reported a backlog of cases in 1995. Many of these were repeat offenders, with a high percentage of cases of underage driving, impaired driving and other alcohol-related violations. Circuit court officials recognized a need for alternative programs for juvenile offenders that were educational and could serve as a guide to development within the family and the community.

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
In an effort to provide an alternative program for juvenile offenders aged 10 to 18, Illinois' Two Rivers Regional Council of Public Officials established Teen Court in 1996. The goal of Teen Court was to direct cases away from the juvenile courts and to provide an alternative approach to litigating traffic violations such as impaired driving, speeding and seat belt nonuse. The Teen Court program focused on prevention of offenses rather than simply punishing them. Program objectives included:

• Providing an opportunity for youth to acknowledge responsibility for their actions, and suggest possible alternative behaviors
• Educating youth about the consequences not using seat belts, impaired driving, speeding and other violations, and how they effect others, including family, friends and the entire community
• Collaborating with local businesses and individuals to act as role models and to create opportunities for offenders to participate in community volunteer activities
• Establishing and maintaining regular media coverage of Teen Court activities
• Implementing additional educational programs on traffic safety in local school systems
• Creating the opportunity for first time youth offenders to have a clean record after successful completion of the Teen Court sentencing process
• Establishing ongoing partnerships with probation departments, law enforcement agencies and the judicial system

STRATEGIES AND ACTIVITIES
The Teen Court program targets youth misdemeanor offenders with no prior court record, who admit guilt and voluntarily participate in the process. The project is closely coordinated with and receives referrals from local law enforcement agencies, probation departments, States Attorneys, school liaisons and judges. Activities associated with Teen Courts are administered by an Advisory Board comprised of representatives from law enforcement, business, education, community groups and private citizens.

Teen Court provides the opportunity for each defendant to explain their involvement in an offense. Defendants are then sentenced by a jury of specially trained peers. Through this process, youth offenders receive an inside view of how the judicial system functions, and how their offense affects family, friends and the community. Depending on the nature and severity of the crime, defendants may be required to attend counseling sessions with their parents on decision making, provide a written or verbal apology to the victim, attend educational programs on drug and alcohol use or traffic safety, or attend a Victim Impact Panel. Some offenders are required to write a report on their offense and its consequences, for presentation to other students not involved in Teen Court. All sentencing recommendations made by the peer jury are reviewed by an attorney before final sentencing, to assure fairness and consistency.

RESULTS Since its inception in 1996, approximately 126 youth offenders have participated in the Teen Court program. Local newspapers, television and radio stations have provided substantial coverage, and many businesses have offered alternative activities for young offenders to pursue. Together, these efforts will improve recidivism among youth offenders in Pike and Adams Counties.

FUNDING   Section 402: $31,356 CONTACT     John Moulton Illinois Department of Transportation Division of Traffic Safety 3125 Executive Park Drive Springfield, IL 62794-9245 (217) 785-3038