BOLIVIA—More than 700 juvenile offenders committed offenses within the past 10 years, but none of them were left with a criminal or juvenile record. These offenders chose to admit guilt in Brunswick County’s Teen Court and were each given a second chance. Teen Court celebrates its 10-year anniversary this month. The program began in 1999, stemming from a request from county principals.
“It was based on a need,” Cynthia Tart, executive director of Communities in Schools of Brunswick County Inc., said. “The principals had heard of Teen Court and asked us how we get one here.” Teen Court is a juvenile court diversion program for first-time offenders. The voluntary program is for offenders who admit responsibility and agree to go before a judge and jury of their peers, who will ultimately decide the sentencing. Sentences often involve community service, restitution and educational workshops or counseling, which may focus on decision-making skills, conflict resolution and substance abuse. Following the completion of their sentences, offenders walk away with a clean slate. No juvenile or criminal record is attached to the offender. Tart said following the principals’ requests, the county began asking other counties how their programs began and found out local legislation was instrumental in many Teen Court conceptions.
A local task force, chaired by District Judge Napoleon Barefoot, was formed, made up of legal, county, school and community representation. Former state Rep. David Redwine and state Sen. R.C. Soles, helped write a legislative bill securing seed money for the program to blend with donations from CIS, the county and the board of education. The first challenge was developing the program’s outline. There was no official Teen Court guideline for the county to follow. The task force was instrumental in creating courtroom procedures and sentencing guidelines, Tart said. “At the time, there was no model for us to follow at the state level,” she said. "It was a learning process because we had to develop a procedure we were going to use,” Barefoot added. “It takes people that are willing to work. Volunteers are critical to make the program work.”
The district attorney’s office decided to partner with Teen Court from the beginning, and has provided Teen Court with a full-time coordinator, a position that has proven to be instrumental in the program’s success. Glenda Ansley has filled that role since October 2000, and said having a strong community partnership is what makes Teen Court a success. “We’re able to do a lot of other things other Teen Courts can’t do because of the support of the community,” she said.
The community support goes beyond monetary donations. Community members volunteer time each week to help in the courtroom as advisors, parent support group facilitators and mentors to student offenders and student volunteers. The Southport/Oak Island Kiwanis Club has even extended a partnership to Teen Court and has several members who work solely with the program. Gore said it is unheard of in North Carolina to have such a strong community partnership between Teen Court and a civic organization. Local Rotarian clubs also commit to match 25 percent of the funding grant each year.
Since its inception in 1999, Teen Court has helped more than 700 first-time offenders, 90 percent of whom did not return to the court system in the first year of the program. More than 10,000 hours of community service have been done, and offenders have completed 1,500 educational seminars. Almost 1,000 students have volunteered to serve as jurors, clerks, bailiffs and attorneys.
To celebrate its 10-year success, a reception was at the Brunswick County courthouse last week. Barefoot was honored for his instrumental role in leading the task force and helping create what is now an established Teen Court. “I am a very small part of it,” Barefoot said of the program’s success. “I’m humbled by the recognition because I don’t deserve the recognition.” Also recognized were Pete Erbe and John Kelso from the Southport/Oak Island Kiwanis Club. Erbe was the one who had the idea to extend partnership to Teen Court, “It is probably one of the most outstanding programs I have ever seen,” Erbe said. Kelso said he was just looking for a way to spend his retirement. A retired attorney and FBI special agent, Kelso said he “got hooked on Teen Court, and it never went away.” “In retirement, you look for the thing that challenges your mind and touches your heart,” he said. “Teen Court has done that.” Also recognized were Fred Ammann, John Hansen and Ansley, who Gore called “the heart and soul of Teen Court.” (Pictured: Fred Amman, Glenda Ansley, Pete Erbe, John Kelso, and Judge Napoleon Barefoot received recognition for their work with Teen Court.)
Officer Kevin Brown of the Wilmington Police Department, was a member of the task force, and said regardless of how a person enters Teen Court; it will change his or her life. “It’s going to have a profound impact on their life whether they realize it or not,” he said. “Teen Court is an integral part of the Brunswick County court system. It’s given others a second chance in life.”
Gore said this is just the beginning for Teen Court, and said the next 10 years will be just as important to the program’s success. “We hope we can save just one kid. Just one more,” he said. “That is our prayer. Just give us the chance.”
To celebrate its 10-year success, a reception was at the Brunswick County courthouse last week. Barefoot was honored for his instrumental role in leading the task force and helping create what is now an established Teen Court. “I am a very small part of it,” Barefoot said of the program’s success. “I’m humbled by the recognition because I don’t deserve the recognition.” Also recognized were Pete Erbe and John Kelso from the Southport/Oak Island Kiwanis Club. Erbe was the one who had the idea to extend partnership to Teen Court, “It is probably one of the most outstanding programs I have ever seen,” Erbe said. Kelso said he was just looking for a way to spend his retirement. A retired attorney and FBI special agent, Kelso said he “got hooked on Teen Court, and it never went away.” “In retirement, you look for the thing that challenges your mind and touches your heart,” he said. “Teen Court has done that.” Also recognized were Fred Ammann, John Hansen and Ansley, who Gore called “the heart and soul of Teen Court.” (Pictured: Fred Amman, Glenda Ansley, Pete Erbe, John Kelso, and Judge Napoleon Barefoot received recognition for their work with Teen Court.)