Oneida County Teen Court

Applications Now Open for Teen Court

HOW TO APPLY

Mail or email completed applications to:  sharon.krause@wisc.edu

Sharon Krause, Positive Youth Development Extension Educator
UW Extension Oneida County, Nicolet College Northwoods Center, PO Box 518, Rhinelander, WI  54501

Upon receiving the application, an interview will be scheduled with Sharon Krause and current Teen Court panelists.  This is an opportunity for applicants to gain some understanding of how offenders feel when questioned while giving current panelists valuable experience they can use in future work.

Panelist Brochure

Job Description

Oneida County Teen Court Application

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WHY BECOME A TEEN COURT PANEL MEMBER?

  • Receive hands-on learning opportunities and training on local government agencies, such as law enforcement, social services, and the court system.

  • Help youth learn from their past and make better decisions moving forward.

  • Receive quality training from a University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Division of Extension in Oneida County educator.

  • Gain new contacts for job reference and become eligible to receive a letter of recommendation from UW-Madison Division of Extension staff.

  • Meet others who interested in participating in new learning experiences like you.

  • Develop leadership skills.

  • Learn about different backgrounds and cultures.

Teen Court Panel Members must be in 9th – 12th grade and undergo training to be a panel member.  Applicants must be able to keep information confidential; be great listeners and team players; and capable of keeping up with homework when missing class.  Past respondents who successfully completed their sanctions 1.5 or more years ago are eligible to apply.

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WHAT IS TEEN COURT?

Teen Court Brochure for Offenders

Teen Court gives youth who are first-time offenders a second chance. It also provides an opportunity for teens to make a positive impact in their communities through volunteering as a Teen Court Panelist.  Panelists work as a team to interview families and assign sanctions (consequences) utilizing Restorative Justice practices.  Their goal is to educate, not punish, so offenders can move past their mistakes in a positive way.  For information on becoming a panelist, scroll down.

Oneida County Teen Court offers eligible youth an alternative to the Juvenile Court system.  It gives them an opportunity to take responsibility for their actions, learn from mistakes, and make better decisions in the future.  Research shows youth typically care a great deal about the opinions of peers, so oftentimes observations from the panelists have more of an impact than those of adults.

When juvenile offenders successfully complete their Teen Court sanctions, their case is dismissed.  The deadline to complete sanctions varies from 1 to 6 weeks.

WHERE IS IT?

Oneida County Teen Court cases are heard three ways:  In person at the Courthouse in Rhinelander, in person on campus at Lakeland Union High School, or virtually over Zoom.  The residency of the offender determines the venue.

WHEN IS IT?

Cases are typically heard the 4th week of the month.

  • The 4th Tuesday of the month, cases are heard at Lakeland Union High School starting at 1:00 pm in the Distance Learning Room (#148).
    • September 27, October 25, November 22, December 20, January 24, February 28, March 28, April 25, May 23, ?June 20
  • The 4th Thursday of the month, cases are heard over Zoom starting at 7:00 pm or at the Courthouse in the County Board Room beginning at 8:00 am.
    • September 29, October 27, November 29, December 15, January 26, February 23, March 23, April 27, May 25, ?June 22

WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO PARTICIPATE IN TEEN COURT?

To be eligible to participate in Teen Court, a youth offender must be referred by the county department of social services, the county district attorney, the department of Natural Resources or the Circuit or Municipal Court.  In addition, the youth offender MUST meet EACH of the following requirements:

  • The youth offender must be between the ages of 10 and 16 (17-18 year old, 1st time alcohol offenders), be a first time offender and have committed a misdemeanor crime or ordinance violation such as:
    • Tobacco or  alcohol offenses
    • Obstructing
    • Curfew violations
    • Truancy
    • Disorderly conduct
    • Shoplifting, theft or vandalism
    • DNR violations under any of the following:
      • Chapter 23 (ATV)
      • Chapter 29 (Hunting & Fishing)
      • Chapter 30 (Boating)
      • Chapter 350 (Snowmobiling)
      • NR45 (Parks and Recreation)
  • The youth offender must admit to committing the offense with which they have been charged.
  • The youth offender must also be willing to participate in Teen Court and be willing to follow its rules.
  • The youth offender must have a parent or legal guardian who is willing to accompany them to Teen Court.

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Questions? Need clarification? Contact:

Sharon Krause, Positive Youth Development Extension Educator

Phone: 715-365-2750    Cell:  608-381-2661   Email: sharon.krause@wisc.edu

 

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