Henderson County Teen Court
Offenders
Students between the ages of 10 and 17 who are currently enrolled in an accredited school may request Teen Court for traffic violations or may be referred by a Municipal Court or Justice of the Peace for Class B or C misdemeanors.  At that court, youth must appear with their parent or guardian and enter a plea of  guilty or nolo contendere and request referral to Teen Court.  More than one offense may be referred to Teen Court if they are on the same citation.   Only one citation from a Municipal or Justice Court may be referred to the Teen Court Program within a two-year period.

Offenders will be assigned a peer defense attorney for representation before Teen Court.  Defense attorneys are the youth's advocate in the Teen Court proceeding.  Defense attorneys may call or visit in person with the offender to gain more information about the offense and the circumstances involved.  To better represent the defendant, the defense attorney needs to be informed of details and circumstances related to the offense.  Following courtroom procedure, the defense attorney will present the details and circumstances of the offense to the Teen Court jurors who, based on the offense classification and range of punishment allowed, will decide the binding constructive sentence.
REFERRING COURTS,  please click HERE for a Referral Form.

Benefits

Teen defendant educational programs and skills acquired include:
  • Understanding the concept of actions having consequences
  • Training in the legal process from Teen Court experience
  • Training in the jury process through actual experience and educational seminars
  • Youth behavior management through programs and other related courses.

Upon completion of all requirements of the constructive sentence, teen defendant's benefits include:

  • Satisfaction of being responsible for one's on actions
  • Satisfaction of contributing to the community, while gaining valuable experience
  • Dismissal of the case which keeps the offense(s) off the youth's record.

The courtroom is a formal and very serious place, commanding respect from all who participate in its proceedings. Defendants and jurors are required to dress accordingly.

Females are expected to be in dresses or slacks and blouses and males in slacks and shirts with collars. The following are NOT allowed:

  • Caps/Hats
  • T-shirts, Untucked shirts
  • Shorts
  • Baggy Clothes
  • Body Jewelry
  • Tank tops, Midriff tops, Halter tops
  • Torn clothing (even with "styled" holes)

Additionally, Teen Court prohibits the use of gum or tobacco products, use of obscene or profane language, and eating or drinking.  Teen Court reserves the right to refuse to hear cases from those who fail to abide by the outlined dress code. Furthermore, Teen Court will refuse jury duty to those who do not comply. The coordinator has the final judgment regarding acceptable attire and behavior.

Court is in Session

DATE:  First Monday of the month, unless this date falls on a holiday 

TIME:  Sign-in by 5:15 p.m. and
           meet with defense attorney

LOCATION:  Henderson County Courthouse
                    100 East Tyler, 2nd floor 
                    173rd District Courtroom
                    Athens

Teen Court Training

Teen Court Training is an educational opportunity that gives the offender an opportunity to learn about the Texas judicial system.  Youth referred to Teen Court will attend training to participate in mock trials, meet with their defense attorney, prep for Teen Court, interact with local attorney and youth volunteers, and gain practical knowledge of court proceedings and gain respect for authority and the judicial system.

DATE:  Monthly, on the Saturday
            before the first Monday of the month

TIME:  10 a.m. to noon

LOCATION:  Henderson County Tax Office 
                    101 East Tyler Street, 3rd floor
                    Athens

Community Service

It is the responsibility of the offender to seek out and contact charities and other non-profit organizations to volunteer services or strength for the purposes of fulfilling the requirements of the binding sentence imposed by a jury of your peers. 

Teen Court staff needs to approve the location and type of community service that you would like to serve. We will need verification of your hours. You can download a Verification Form from Teen Court’s Web site, or you can have your supervisor write a letter stating the services you provided, hours completed, and a contact number.

Community Service Organizations

The following organizations partner with Teen Court to provide service opportunities for youth to complete the requirements of their sentence:

Angel Food Ministries, Athens
Brownsboro ISD 
Cain Center, Athens,
East Texas Arboretum and Botanical Society, Athens
Family Peace Project, Athens
First Baptist Church,  Athens
First Baptist Church, Malakoff
Henderson County Humane Society, Athens
Living Stones Fellowship, Athens
Malakoff ISD

Teen Court Jury Duty

Jury duty terms assigned as part of the binding constructive sentence can be completed by attending the regularly scheduled Teen Court docket on the first Monday of the month unless this date falls on a holiday.  Please check additional court dates and upcoming events under the calendar tab.  
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