Humboldt County Teen Court is an innovative program working to give young people the chance to participate in real court proceedings and learn about restorative justice, a process that focuses on a victim’s needs and the offender’s accountability to minimize harm caused by wrongdoing. The program, designed for first-time juvenile offenses, such as battery/assault, shoplifting, and drug use, invites youth to take on important roles, from juror to facilitator, while adult mentors guide them.
“Teen Court is important because it helps teens learn from their mistakes instead of just being punished for them,” Gemma Caruso, president of the Teen Court Leaders Board, said.
The organization focuses on repair rather than discipline. Youth jurors hear an offender’s story and work together to create assignments that help them understand the impact of their actions.
“I think specifically at a young age, the punitive and the regular law can be very harsh, and can be detrimental to young teens’ futures,” Craig Patton, program coordinator of Teen Court, said.
Teen Court has been part of the Boys and Girls Club of the Redwoods since 2001. The program partners with Humboldt County Superior Court, probation, law enforcement, schools, and other agencies. Youth involved gain real-world skills like leadership, communication, and decision-making while helping their peers learn from their mistakes and better the community.
“I’ve had a couple of instances where I’ve met past clients who just need a favor, and they would ask me for help because they know me and they know I want what’s best for them,” Jayden Taylor, the treasurer of the Teen Court Leaders Board, said.
Volunteering is open to teens who want to make a difference in the community. Volunteers work with adult mentors and peers to make sure every case is handled thoroughly and fairly. The Eureka branch holds hearings on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays of each month, while the Fortuna branch conducts hearings on Wednesdays, typically from 4:15 to 6:00 p.m.
“You can help make a real difference in the life of someone that you probably don’t even know,” Caruso said.
For anyone interested in volunteering or learning more, you can contact the Eureka office at [email protected], the Fortuna office at [email protected], or visit the Boys and Girls Club of the Redwoods website.
This program equips young people with valuable experiences that empower them to influence positive change within their community. Teen Court gives youth the chance to not just see the legal system in action, but to shape justice themselves.
