HOW DOES IT WORK?
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Teens who appear before the Municipal Court Judge or Justice of the Peace in College Station may request Teen Court as an alternative sentence
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Must plead GUILTY OR NO CONTEST to their offense and their parents agree to abide by the Teen Court guidelines
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Teen Court sentencing consists of a designated number of community service hours, Teen Court jury service, apology to the victim, and in some instances educational courses or counseling
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Those who complete the punishment phase will have the offense dismissed from their record and will avoid paying the standard fine
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Those who do not complete their punishment must pay the fine and costs as set by the judge
Teen Court hearing in progress
DISCIPLINE GRID
Includes but not limited to:
CLASS 1 Offense: 12-30 community service hours; 1-3 jury term
Auto Equipment Violation
No Helmet / No Seatbelt
Expired Registration
No Turn Signal /Improper Turn
Civil Parking Violations
Following too closely
CLASS 2 Offense: 22-40 community service hours; 2-4 jury terms
Speed 1-15 mph over limit
Restricted Driver license
Expired Driver License
Ran Stop Sign / Ran Red Light
Criminal Parking Violations
Other Moving Violations
CLASS 3 Offense: 32-50 community service hours; 3-5 jury terms
Speed 16-24 mph over limit
Speed in School Zone
Failure to Identify
No Driver License / Fictitious License
Disobey Order of Police
No Insurance
Tobacco Related Offense
Traffic Accident Offense
CLASS 4 Offense: 42-60 community service hours; 4-6 jury terms
Speed over 25 mph over limit / Driving While License Invalid
Pass School Bus Loading or Unloading / Leave Scene of Accident
Alcohol related offense (MIP, DUI, PI)
Disorderly Conduct
School related offenses
Loitering / Vandalism / Theft
Assault / Discharging Firearm
Criminal Mischief / Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS?
Successful completion of the Teen Court requirements within the specified time frame will result in dismissal of the case. In most cases, except for alcohol offenses, the offense will not remain on their record. It will also allow the teen to become acquainted with the judicial system and how it affects them. They will also experience the satisfaction of contributing to the community while gaining valuable work experience.
SPECIAL NOTE: Defendants must not receive additional citations of any kind during their Teen Court probationary period or their case will be returned to the referring judge for payment of full fine and costs.
TEEN COURT PROCEDURES
Cases are heard, questioned, and sentenced by a master jury of teen volunteers. The jury will be a group of teens who have volunteered for service or who are completing jury duty as a part of their Teen Court sentence.
The teen court coordinator will assign the master jury foreman, clerks, bailiff, and jurors for each case.
The court bailiff and clerks also are teen volunteers who make sure the court runs smoothly and that careful records are kept.
Cases are typically heard on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of each month at 6:00 p.m. in the College Station Municipal Court building located at 300 Krenek Tap Road.
DRESS AND BEHAVIOR
The courtroom is a formal and serious place, commanding respect from all who participate in the proceedings. The following rules are to be observed:
NO caps or hats
NO tank tops, midriff or halter tops
NO clothing with obscene or profane language or illustrations
NO torn clothing (even if it is the style)
NO shorts
NO sunglasses
NO gang related clothing
NO gum, food, or drinks
NO tobacco products
NO obscene or profane language or signs
NO cell phones during proceedings
Teen Court reserves the right to refuse to hear a case from those persons who fail to abide by the outlined rules. Jurors are held to the same standards for dress as defendants, volunteers and courtroom staff.