Los Angeles County Teen Court Program

Body

Teen Court is a juvenile diversion and prevention program that links high school students, schools, teachers, parents, juvenile offenders, probation officers, and the Los Angeles Superior Court in an effort to reduce recidivism and encourage first time juvenile offenders to accept responsibility for their actions and to stay out of the juvenile court system.

The hope for the program is that a juvenile offender will not continue their criminal behavior after participating in a judicial process in which a jury of their peers - other teenagers - decide the verdict and recommend an appropriate consequence (sentence).

Southwestern hosts multiple high schools Teen Courts in the Dixon Courtroom, and it is an opportunity for high school students to visit the law school, ask Teen Court members questions about law school, and consider law as a career path they may want to pursue.

The program is always looking for more law student members to participate. Members visit local high schools to observe Teen Court trials and assist with jury instructions and jury deliberation.

Los Angeles Superior Court

Students, faculty, and staff of Southwestern may view a list of current Student Organization contacts on the Portal (log-in required). All others may contact the Student Affairs Office at (213) 738-6716 or studentaffairs@swlaw.edu for additional information.