Los Angeles County has the largest Teen Court program in the nation, and to meet the need for student jurors, PESA began establishing Teen Court Clubs in 2013 on high school campuses. In addition to recruiting students for voluntary jury duty, the clubs educate and prepare jurors for the trial experience—what to expect, how to ask questions, weigh evidence, deliberate and suggest appropriate conditions of diversion. But beyond the actual mechanics of Teen Court itself, many clubs have expanded in scope to provide empowering opportunities to members, such as hosting presentations by professionals from the legal community, planning and engaging in community events and participating in educational workshops on topics such as bullying, labeling and more.
The clubs have become such an important facet of the Teen Court program that the California Association of Youth Courts (CAYC) invited PESA to discuss their merits at their recent quarterly roundtable meeting on November 16. Some 30 representatives from youth courts in counties throughout the state learned about the benefits of a Teen Court Club and how they can be created in their own schools and communities. Leslye Kasoff, PESA’s Director of Youth Development and Social Justice, and Madison Laster, Associate Director of Youth Development and Social Justice, conducted the presentation and Q and A.
“Teen Court Clubs make a world of a difference for both the Teen Court program and the students being enriched by all the extra opportunities,” says Laster, a onetime club member herself. “The educational programming, networking opportunities, in-depth training exercises and other club benefits give students a deeper understanding of civic responsibility and our court system. Being involved in a Teen Court club gave me leadership skills that led me to where I am today. My experience with the club truly changed my trajectory on what I studied in college and what I do for a living now.”
It’s precisely that amplification effect that’s at the heart of what makes the clubs so effective. “Teachers and students are really enthusiastic about all the opportunities given to the students through a dedicated club,” says Kasoff. “Participants are able to create a program based on what they want and request resources from PESA based on the needs of the students. It is very empowering for the students to be able to choose what they learn about. A fully enriching program helps move beyond just the Teen Court program. Many of the students who have joined a club become mentors for students once they leave high school, helping them with advice for college applications. And quite a few of them end up interning with and eventually working for PESA.”
We’d say that’s a club worth joining.
If you are interested in starting a Teen Court Club at your school, contact PESA for help and resources. ■
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