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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 student 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.

Pictured: Brunswick County Summit Attendees 2009 – Back Row Left to Right – Fred Ammann, Coach, Michael Hibbard, Ryan Royster, Dakota Evans, Glenda Ansley, Director, Middle Row Left to Right – Silas Acosta, Perry Smith, Taylor Theroux, Milton Gore and John Kelso, Coach, Front Row Left to Right – Timothy McVaugh, Jocelyn Frink, Tabitha Causby, Keith Hughes, Gregory Young.

“Your Honor and Ladies and Gentlemen of the Jury” flowed through the halls at the North Carolina Teen Court Summit held recently in Raleigh. Students from all over North Carolina gathered to perfect their opening and closing statements as well as compete in the Annual Teen Court Mock Trial Competition. Brunswick County had twelve students represent them at this year’s event. Team Coaches were Fred Ammann and John Kelso, adult volunteers and team members included Keith Hughes and Perry Smith, Prosecutors; Tabitha Causby and Silas Acosta, Defense Attorneys; Dakota Evans, Bailiff; and Jocelyn Frink, Clerk of Court. Perry Smith was honored with creating the Summit’s T-Shirt design. Students attending as alternates were Timothy McVaugh, Gregory Young, Milton Gore, Taylor Theroux, Michael Hibbard and Ryan Royster.

Adult leaders and youth from Brunswick County joined 151 others from across North Carolina for the 11^th annual Teen Court Summit held in Raleigh, North Carolina. The event is sponsored each year by the North Carolina Teen Court Association. The Southport-Oak Island Kiwanis sponsored three individual team members to attend the Summit from Brunswick County.

Objectives for the three-day event included gathering volunteers from every Teen Court in North Carolina; improving volunteer effectiveness in Court; gaining practical experience through the Mock Trial Competition; developing friendships; and sharing information and experiences. Workshops included “Gang Prevention in your Community” conducted by Wake County Gang Unit and a K-9 demonstration provided by the Wake County Sheriff’s Department. The students also toured the North Carolina History Museum and the Natural Science Museum.

The special presentation on Sunday was from the Choices Program. Youthful offenders who are now spending many years up to life in prison spoke to the group. Several of the inmates related that they wished there had been a program like Teen Court available to them early on so maybe they would not be in prison today. Glenda Ansley, Director stated, “This was one of the best Summits ever. Student volunteers saw first hand what happens when youthful offenders do not straighten out their life. Education and community resources can make a powerful difference for these youthful, non-violent offenders.”

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 is a joint venture between Communities In Schools and the District Attorney's Office.