All too often, society labels 12 to 18 year olds as troublemakers with little to contribute. However, the Pulaski County Prosecuting Attorney's Office recognizes that today's youth are not only the leaders of the future but also can be and are willing to be leaders TODAY. Through Teen Court, the Prosecuting Attorney's Office will provide a unique chance for young people to get involved with the justice system in a positive way, and in so doing, the office will also provide youthful offenders with a meaningful sentencing alternative as an option to juvenile court.

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Teen Courts Across the United States and in Arkansas

Throughout the 1980s, "teen courts" -- courts where juveniles dispense justice to other juveniles -- have taken the nation by storm. Currently, 36 states and the District of Columbia have teen courts within their boundaries (see map below). Furthermore, Texas teen courts are recognized by state law, and almost every Texas community, town, city, or county has one.

Teen courts vary in form. Trial model teen courts employ teens as prosecutors, defense attorneys, bailiffs, clerks, and sometimes as judges. By contrast, master jury model teen courts employ a group of teens as a jury that questions a defendant. In Arkansas, the City of Bentonville has a trial model teen court, and the City of Maumelle and the Pulaski County Prosecutor's Office have used master jury models in the past.