Title
Discuss and consider action to approve a resolution authorizing a Teen Court as an alternative at Pflugerville Municipal Court and establishing a fee.
Summary
This item has been included on the agenda to allow for a presentation by Municipal Court Judge Farren Sheehan and consideration of a resolution to establish a City of Pflugerville Teen Court. Both Judge Sheehan and Associate Judge Caroline Davis attended Teen Court training in November. Research regarding Teen Courts in other cities and applicable state statutes was completed in 2018. This resolution recommends establishing a Teen Court as an alternative at Pflugerville Municipal Court for juvenile defendants between the ages of 10-17 or who are enrolled in an accredited secondary school in a program leading toward a high school diploma. Juveniles fitting this category will be offered Teen Court as an alternative dispensation method.
Teen Courts have been shown to provide a method to dispense juvenile cases in a positive and effective manner while educating teens about the law by using teens as juries, judges and attorneys. One of the requirements of using teen court is to participate in a trial in one of those roles. The fee of $20 is the maximum allowed by state law to help cover any administrative costs in the Teen Court.
Judge Sheehan has had preliminary discussions with PfISD regarding the possibility of offering Teen Court to juvenile defendants. Initially volunteers will be needed to act as juries and Judge Sheehan has reached out to various youth service groups in the community.
Prior City Council Action
N/A
Deadline for City Council Action
N/A
Funding Expected: Revenue X Expenditure X N/A __
Budgeted Item: Yes __ No X N/A __
Amount: TBD
1295 Form Required? Yes __ No X
Legal Review Required: N/A X Required __ Date Completed: ___________
Supporting documents attached:
Resolution
Recommended Action
Approve the resolution authorizing a Teen Court as an additional al...
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