Take a Stand Against Juvenile Crime — Get Involved

The Tri-Area Court for Teens (TACT) Peer Jury is a restorative justice program that provides first-time juvenile offenders with an opportunity to have their case heard by a jury of their peers instead of appearing in traditional court.

Peer Jury holds young people accountable in a constructive and meaningful way. By accepting responsibility for their actions and agreeing to have a peer jury determine an appropriate outcome, eligible participants may avoid having the offense recorded as a conviction.

How Peer Jury Works

• Monthly Sessions: Teen Court meets once per month.
• Volunteer Jurors: A group of trained teen volunteers serve as jurors.
• Peer Questioning: Jurors respectfully question the defendant about the incident.
• Deliberation & Decision: After careful deliberation, the jury assigns an appropriate and constructive “sentence” designed to promote accountability and growth.

This process encourages responsibility, reflection, and positive change—while strengthening community values.

Program Eligibility Requirements

Defendants are referred by the arresting juvenile officer and must meet the following criteria:

• Must be a first-time offender
• Must admit guilt and agree to participate
• Must be between the ages of 13 and 17
• Parent or guardian must consent to participation (insert form link)

Volunteer as a Peer Juror

Teens ages 13 through 17 are invited to volunteer as jurors. Serving as a juror offers:

• Real-world insight into the juvenile justice process
• Development of leadership and communication skills
• A meaningful way to serve your community
• An opportunity to promote accountability among peers

To get involved, complete the volunteer application and speak with your School Resource Officer for additional information.

Together, we can empower youth to make better choices, build stronger communities, and take a stand against juvenile crime.

The above Parent and Applicant Consent and Signature Form must be attached when submitting the online application.

If you have issues with the online form, you may complete the paper application.