Teen Court is an alternative system of justice, which offers first-time juvenile offenders between the ages of 12 and 18 an opportunity to admit responsibility for their offenses and receive a constructive sentence from their peers. Teen Court also provides a "hands on" educational experience for studen volunteers in an effort to help them better understand our sytem of justice. A juvenile referred to Teen Court appears before a jury of peers and is defended and prosecuted by peers.

Special points of interest:

1. All Teen Court Sessions are from 6:00-8:00 pm
2. Peer Circles meet on the 3rd Tuesday of the month.
3. Teen Court Sessions are held on the 1st Thursday and the 4th Tuesday of the month.
4. Pizza at 5:00 for Student Volunteers on Teen Court Nights

To arrange a tour of the jail at the Sheriff's Department, please contact Glenda Ansley at 253-4520

 

Teen Court moves on with the introduction of monthly peer circles for Juvenile Defendants. These sessions are also open to all Teen Court Student Volunteers. Peer Circles involves teaching life skills to teenagers. The three areas of focus are decision making and conflict resolution, substance abuse prevention and anger management. While the parents participate in the Parenting Support Group, the youth are learning life skills that can make a difference in their lives. Beth Crocker, student volunteer attended the first Peer Circle and found it to be interesting as well as thought provoking. The teens looked at different ways to not only resolve conflict but avoid it from the beginning. Peer Circles will be held monthly on the 3rd Tuesdays from 6:00 to 8:00 at the courthouse.

Stephanie Jackson and 20 of her high school students from West Brunswick High School toured the Brunswick County Courthouse along with the Sheriff's Department and the Jail on November 7, 2001. Sheriff Ronald Hewett introduced the students to the Sheriff's Office and explained that his office was there to help the youth of Brunswick County. The students also were able to see the jail first hand. Comments included "that's one place I don't want to see again." The students finished their visit with a session of District Court. Judge Sasser explained his role in the Justice System and answered the students questions concerning probation, the jail, sentencing and the requirements of being a judge.
Every student should have knowledge about our Justice System, therefore, any teacher who wishes to have his/her students tour the Brunswick County Complex should contact Glenda Ansley, Teen Court Coordinator. She will arrange a tour of whatever facility the class is studying at the time. Also, Rex Gore, the District Attorney along with several Assistant District Attorneys will come out to the schools and talk with the students about our justice system and such topics as "Youth Rights and Responsibilities." Please make use of this resource and contact Glenda Ansley at 253-2450 today.

Teen Court Student Volunteers Chris Phelps and Beth Crocker were recently named to a position on the Brunswick County Juvenile Crime Prevention Council. Both students are Juniors at West Brunswick High School. The local JCPC is made up of twenty-five members of the community appointed by the Brunswick County Commissioners. They are involved in assessing the needs of youth in Brunswick County with particular attention to the needs of status offenders, youth-at-risk, and juvenile delinquents as well as evaluating youth service programs and sharing all information with the County Commissioners. The JCPC and the County Commissioners are charged with distributing and supervising over $170,000.00 in State DJJDP Grant money. Projects funded by the committee include Providence Home, Teen Court, Cooperative Extension Service’s Restitution Program (Master Gardner’s Program), Famili First (intensive home based counseling) and the Court Psychologist. Priority of funding was based on these needs in the community: Home Based Counseling, Parent Responsibility Classes, Restitution, Emergency Residential Placement and Psychological Testing for court involved youth. Anita Oldham, Director of the Brunswick Family Assistance Program is the current Chairperson. If you have questions concerning the JCPC please contact Anita Oldham at 754-4766 or Glenda Ansley at 253-2450.

Youth and Adult Volunteers are the very foundation upon which our Teen Court operates on a daily basis. They provide the needed community support to help address the problem of at-risk and delinquent youth in a positive and constructive way.
Our Teen Court Program Committee comprised of members from throughout the county is a guiding force for Teen Court. The District Attorney's Office, Brunswick County Schools; Rescource Officers and Juvenile Services work together on referrals for Teen Court providing a second chance for our youth. Assistant District Attorney, Chris Thomas, Child Victim Advocate Niki Fromm, Probation Officer Kim Clemmons and Juvenile Intake Counselor Holly Sellers volunteer their expertise at almost every court session. District Court Judge Napoleon Barefoot and local defense attorneys volunteer their time to act as Judges or Attorney Mentors. Pete Erbe, President of the Kiwanis Club provides an adult volunteer for every session of court to observe the jury deliberations or mentor the student volunteers. Student Volunteers from the area high schools provide the peer leadership need for Teen Court. The Southport-Oak Island Personal Counseling Service provides counselors for the facilitation of the Parenting Support Group. The Brunswick County Bar Association sponsors college scholarships for graduating seniors. The Juvenile Crime Prevention Counsel gives support and additional funding to make Teen Court possible. A true and heart-felt thank you to all the volunteers who work hard and give of themselves to our youth.

Teen Court Summit 2002 Students from Brunswick County are as follows: Back Row from left to right: Tony Roberts, Bryan Skipper, Nolan Hill, Chris Phelps, Jason Harrison, Jason Stanley, B. G. Barbour, Middle Row from left to right: Latrice Robinson, Markita Hardy, D. J. Hardy, Kristy Stiller, Samantha Hewett, Shana Hewett, Linda Heron, Paleek Gardner, Front Row from left to right: Trimeice Bellamy, Alyssa Granados, Blaire Ansley, Irene Thomasson, Marie Barton, Hollie Bass, Beth Crocker, Hannah Cox, Bonnie Ansley, Emma Ansley.

The Fourth Annual Teen Court Summit sponsored by the North Carolina Teen Court Association was held February 22-24, 2002 at Camp Thunderbird, Charlotte, North Carolina. Thirty youth and their adult leaders from Brunswick County joined with over 250 others from all over North Carolina to participate in this years Summit. Summit objectives included gathering volunteers from every Teen Court in North Carolina, shring information and experiences, improving volunteer's effectiveness in court, gaining practical courtroom experience through a mock trial competition and developing friendships from across the state.

George Sweat, Secretary of the Department of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention opened Teen Court Summit 2002. He congratulated the youth on their leadership and dedication to improving our Juvenile Justice System. Secretary Sweat who is a retired Chief of Police urged all the participants to stay focues on youth and keep working so that every North Carolina child will have the chance to succeed.

Students attended workshops on "At Risk Teen Issues" with Craig Conger, a detective with the Charlotte Mecklenberg Police Department; "Trial Law 101" with Anne Tompkins and Brian Cromwell, both Assistant United States Attorneys, and "Teen Court Ambassadors/What does it mean to be Peer Educators" with Peyton Young, a School Outreach Coordinator with ReEntry YOuth Development in Raleigh.

Teen Court Mock Trial Competition Team

Back Row from left to right: Nolan Hill, Chris Phelps, D.J. Hardy, Jason Harrison. Front Row from left to right: Hannah Cox and Blaire Ansley.

The highlight of the Summit was a Mock Trial Competition. The Competition team members for Brunswick County were Prosecutors, Chris Phelps and D.J. Hardy; Defense Attorneys, Hannah Cox and Nolan Hill; Clerk of Court, Blaire Ansley; and Bailiff, Jason Harrison. Alternates to the team were Kristy Stiller, Irene Thomason, Shana Hewett, and B.G. Barbour.

David Moody closed the weekend activities on Sunday. David is a D.A.R.E. Officer with Pitt County and volunteers with their Teen Court Program. He encouraged the youth to continue to educate their peers.