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Parents, Educators/Teachers & Students in Action


November 14, 2024

CULTIVATING COMPASSIONATE LEADERSHIP AND PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY

PESA Hosts Multiple Teen Court Training Sessions

Since its founding in 1992, the Los Angeles Superior Court Teen Court program (Teen Court), has offered thousands of Los Angeles County students a unique opportunity to contribute to the justice system firsthand, fostering valuable skills in conflict and civic engagement. To maintain the program's high standards, PESA hosts annual Teen Court trainings, where returning jurors refresh their knowledge and new participants are equipped with the tools necessary to become effective jurors. Led by passionate PESA staff like Elizabeth Sosa and Stephanie Santillan, these trainings help students develop into empathetic, active community members and skilled jurors.


At Grant High School, Teen Court training is designed to be inclusive and accessible to all students, regardless of their future career aspirations. Under the leadership of Sosa, the program hosts monthly training sessions, which began on September 18 and continued on October 2, providing a consistent learning environment for both newcomers and returning participants. “One of the best parts of Teen Court is the openness to all students… the turnout we get at the start of the year is inspiring,” Sosa shares. 


In these training sessions, students are introduced to the rule of law, the principles of due process, and the structure of court procedures, with a special emphasis on mastering questioning skills. “It’s about ensuring they understand the person and the situation from a holistic perspective,” Sosa explains. The training sessions also entail mock trials, offering hands-on experience in a supportive environment where students can apply what they’ve learned from Sosa and Santillan. This practice helps them build confidence, learn courtroom etiquette, and grow through constructive feedback. “These mock trials are a safe space to make mistakes and learn… it’s incredible to see how students support and uplift each other up during these sessions,” she adds.

At Fremont High School, Teen Court training is integrated into the Law and Social Justice (LSJ) curriculum throughout October, giving students the opportunity to link their classroom learning with real-world applications. Santillan, who leads the program at Fremont, highlights how this integration enriches students’ understanding of civic engagement. “We emphasize collaborative learning in these training sessions… it’s less about memorizing rules and more about understanding the responsibility that comes with each role,” she says. The mock trials conducted in the classroom allow students to reflect on their performance, with peer feedback playing a powerful tool in their learning. “The feedback from their peers is one of the most powerful parts of the training… students learn not just from their own experience but from seeing their classmates in action,” Santillan adds.


The impact of Teen Court training extends well beyond the courtroom. Participation boosts students’ confidence, hones their public speaking skills, and strengthens their critical thinking. Sosa notes, “Watching students who were shy at the beginning confidently asking questions and engaging in discussions… that’s the real impact of Teen Court training.” 

By balancing empathy with accountability, students develop a deeper understanding of the responsibilities they carry as jurors. “These students are learning that empathy and accountability go hand in hand in justice.”



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