Have you heard about Parker's Teen Court program? This exciting program, now entering its third year, provides teens with an opportunity to get involved with the court system and earn community service hours. Teen Court is the only program of its kind in Douglas County, and was started in an effort to involve youth in Parker in the judicial process while offering appropriate sentencing for juvenile offenders. This community-based program was designed to be a positive experience for the first-time juvenile misdemeanor offender, as well as Court participants.

Since the program started, youth and adult volunteers in our community have committed more than 1,295 hours of service to Teen Court. The program has also been a positive force in the lives of more than 100 youth participants, by providing them with a second chance while holding them accountable for their behavior.

Currently the program is accepting teenagers who are interested in volunteering to serve as jurors, bailiffs and attorneys. To serve as a teen attorney for the program, you must be at least 14 years old. All other positions are open to youth 12 to 17 years old. The Town's prosecuting attorney will provide the necessary training to teen participants, including a mock trial. There are many benefits in participating in this program. Because teens are strongly influenced by their peers, a message is sent to offenders that their behavior will not be tolerated. Teens can use time volunteered in Court for mandatory community service hours for graduation, honor societies and on a job resume or college application.

Teen Court sessions are held on select evenings during the year. The time commitment is as little as one evening per month. Training sessions for teen attorneys are held twice a year. Basic techniques for defense and prosecution are taught and mock trials are conducted. Advanced training sessions are also held throughout the year to help improve performance.

After each session there is feedback among the teen attorneys, the adult volunteer judge and the coordinator to review what the teen attorneys prepared well and what they need to improve on. Some real charges that participants may hear include: assault, destruction of property, disorderly conduct, fireworks, littering, petty theft, possession of alcohol, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of marijuana and shoplifting. The Teen Court does not consider traffic offenses.

A base recruitment and training for Teen Court will be held on March 12 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Parker Town Hall, 20120 E. Mainstreet. There will be a basic training and a mock trial. Interested parties can download an application online at www.parkeronline.org.

Please contact Sue Ratcliff in Parker Municipal Court with additional questions at 303.805.3101 or sratcliff@ci.parker.co.us.