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North County Teen Court uses different tack for offenders
By Byron Painter
Editor
The Sixth Amendment to the United States Constitution guarantees a defendant the right to a speedy trial with an impartial jury.
It just does not say how old that jury has to be.
The North County Teen Court, which covers Buffalo, Dawson, Mechanicsburg, Riverton, Sherman, Spaulding and Williamsville, has for almost three years been hearing cases
while helping to alleviate the already overcrowded county juvenile court system.
Bob Hoffek, the executive director of the program, said the impetus for Teen Court was a mentoring program that Sherman policeman Phil Brown started in 1999.
That program was a five-month program where a juvenile offender was paired with an adult mentor, somewhat comparable to Big Brothers Big Sisters, noted Brown.
On one Monday and one Wednesday a month, the Teen Court hears cases, mostly misdemeanor offenses, though some felonies as well.
On Mondays (usually the second one), Williamsville-Sherman students are the jury and Riverton-Tri-City students are the offenders; on Wednesdays, the roles are reversed.
The court handles about 5-6 cases per month.
In 2006, there were 51 juveniles processed, with just one referred to the juvenile court system; a total of 70 charges were referred.
In 2007, there were 99 charges referred (84 juveniles processed), including 15 felonies (up six from 2006). A total of 1007 hours of community service were performed and
$2549.70 of restitution paid (up from 900 and $2000 in 2006).
Teen Court is designed to develop respect for authority and the community and to stop potential delinquent behavior in the teenage years.
The goal is to “fully implement a trial model program using youth and adult volunteers, as a continuing alternative to formal juvenile probation processing and formal juvenile
court proceedings,” as its pamphlet explains.
Teen Court aims for rehabilitation and restorative justice, not punishment, Hoffek said; he prefers that the latter word not be used.
But do not think that the offenders get off scot-free.
Written apologies for actions and community service are often the requirements for offenders.
“They must be arrested or have broken some kind of law,” said Hoffek, noting that many of the offenders are underage drinkers. “If we can stop it after the first time, they will not
be a burden on society down the line.”
A parent or guardian must show up with the offender to hear the sentence; the jury also presides over a ‘trial,’ with the help of attorney volunteers like Ray Weber and Tim
Raycraft, who guide the process.
The parents/guardians are under scrutiny as well, noted Hoffek, and generally, the parents have been very receptive.
During a first hearing, a police officer will read the police report of the incident in question, and then the jury asks questions (after the attorney reads the charges and what
punishment those charges would incur in a regular court); after the questions are completed, the offender is taken out of the room as the jury deliberates.
The offender is retrieved after the ‘sentence’ is agreed upon, and that person has to agree to the sentence, be it community service or apology letters.
“Best-care scenario, we do not see these kids again,” said Hoffek, unless of course, the offender becomes a juror, which has happened.
But if the offender does not meet the requirements, he/she is remanded to the juvenile court, which likely turns out worse, according to Hoffek.
The offender must come back before the jury in a ‘callback;’ the offender must show the requirements have been met, and if they have not been, explain why.
The pool of jury members (high school students) is about 15-deep, though not every person shows up at every meeting, noted Hoffek.
Teen Court locally was based on a program in LaSalle-Peru almost four decades ago; Hoffek taught there at the time.
The program “could not exist without volunteers,” said Hoffek, mentioning people like Kristi Martin and Deb Behrens, who serve as citizen coordinators and also participate in
the questioning on occasion.
Brown, Riverton police officer Jim Lawley, Buffalo-Mechanicsburg’s Bill Hill and Williamsville’s Shawn Edwards are Hoffek’s “trench warriors,” helping keep the program strong.
Spaulding’s Kenny Metcalf just joined the program as well.
Hoffek, who also has worked for Gov. Jim Thompson and Horace Mann, among other places, said that it was easy to get kids involved in the program, which requires an oath of
confidentiality.
Martin noted that the offenders might have a tough time “pulling something over on someone your own age.”
The records are not public, so if the offender successfully completes the requirements set down by the jury, the offender’s record is expunged.
“We are trying to prevent something from becoming more serious,” said Hoffek. “We want to nip the problem in the bud before the juvenile court gets involved, because they
might get lost in the system there.”
Attorney General Lisa Madigan and her office have been a big help, according to Hoffek; the Teen Court concept is codified into state law as part of the Illinois Youth Court
Association.
The Williamsville/Sherman court has gotten younger recently, since some of the participants graduated, according to Hoffek.
Williamsville senior-to-be Lauren Brandt has been involved since the beginning.
Brown asked her to join, and she enjoys being a part of the program.
“I am proud to be involved,” she said. “I like seeing how other people have changed and gotten better, which is positive to see.
“I think doing it this way is better than juvie,” she added.
Lindsay Holler had just completed her first evening in the program, but her older sister Elena told her all about the program before.
“Hearing her talk about it really got me interested in it,” said Lindsay, who will be a freshman at WHS. “I want to help make changes in our community, and this is a way for me
to help people out.”
After going through her first evening, which included three callbacks, “it definitely backed up what my sister told me.
“This is a really good program and really does help people,” Lindsay concluded.
Four Riverton/Tri-City students were part of the jury last Wednesday; all three cases related to one specific incident.
Riverton senior-to-be Ashlee Schoby aggressively questioned the offenders in each case, and she admitted that sometimes her patience wears thin after hearing and reading
about some of the mistakes made.
“I do not have a lot of patience for kids who are not very smart, and it is tough to not go after them,” said Schoby, who became involved after a couple of her friends told her about
it.
Schoby picks up on the offender’s body language, especially during last week’s cases when the stories did not always seem to correlate.
“Some things they say trigger other questions,” she said.
One of the most important things Schoby has gotten from Teen Court is that she is much more respectful of rules like curfew.
“Being here and seeing the consequences, it makes me think more about the law, and it has made me more respectful and sympathetic to my parents,” she continued. “I
would be embarrassed” if her parents had to sit with her on the offender side.
Tri-City’s Kate Dean, who wants to go into forensics, admits that it can be tough at times to “strike a balance” between being too tough.
“If you are too tough, they will not care, and if you are more confrontational, they will think you are yelling at them,” said Dean.
Some of the offenses are surprising to Dean, who admits to wondering why they did what they did.
Like Schoby, Dean has become more respectful, especially toward her parents.
“This has changed me a lot,” she said.
Riverton senior-to-be Sara Nielsen, like Schoby, asked some pointed questions during the evening.
She, unlike Schoby or Dean, said it is not hard to not go too far.
“They should be old enough to be mature and know better,” she said simply “They should know what is right and what is wrong.”
Nielsen, who wants to be a forensic anthropologist, “wants to help these kids.
“We are not here to punish them or bring their self-esteem down,” she added.
T-C sophomore-to-be Asa Thomas just had finished his first night with the program where he got to ask questions.
His stepfather is a policeman and is friends with Hill, so it was easy for him to get involved.
Interested in being a game warden, policeman or conservation officer, Thomas acknowledged his “eyes were not opened” by what he heard last week.
“I was not surprised at all,” he said. “I know friends at school who know people who probably do some of these things.”
Thomas also admitted it can be tough to toe the line between lecturing and asking questions.
“Some of the things they do are really stupid,” he said.
That being said, Thomas thinks that community service “is more productive” and that “more can be gained” from that instead of jail time.
There are no plans to expand to Springfield or the southern part of Sangamon County; Hoffek would like to add in Illiopolis or maybe Pleasant Plains.
But all of this would not be possible without the volunteers and donations that come in, not only from the villages and police departments; Teen Court is a not-for-profit
corporation.
Hoffek estimated the budget around $4000, which includes food, T-shirts and three $500 scholarships handed out to one student from each of the three high schools involved.
Hoffek calls that support the “one of the most gratifying” parts of the program.
“To see the community support and volunteers we get” is wonderful, he said. “A lot of people approach me and ask how they can help.”
If you wish to contribute, please contact any of the police departments above or Hoffek.
By Byron Painter
Editor
The Sixth Amendment to the United States Constitution guarantees a defendant the right to a speedy trial with an impartial jury.
It just does not say how old that jury has to be.
The North County Teen Court, which covers Buffalo, Dawson, Mechanicsburg, Riverton, Sherman, Spaulding and Williamsville, has for almost three years been hearing cases
while helping to alleviate the already overcrowded county juvenile court system.
Bob Hoffek, the executive director of the program, said the impetus for Teen Court was a mentoring program that Sherman policeman Phil Brown started in 1999.
That program was a five-month program where a juvenile offender was paired with an adult mentor, somewhat comparable to Big Brothers Big Sisters, noted Brown.
On one Monday and one Wednesday a month, the Teen Court hears cases, mostly misdemeanor offenses, though some felonies as well.
On Mondays (usually the second one), Williamsville-Sherman students are the jury and Riverton-Tri-City students are the offenders; on Wednesdays, the roles are reversed.
The court handles about 5-6 cases per month.
In 2006, there were 51 juveniles processed, with just one referred to the juvenile court system; a total of 70 charges were referred.
In 2007, there were 99 charges referred (84 juveniles processed), including 15 felonies (up six from 2006). A total of 1007 hours of community service were performed and
$2549.70 of restitution paid (up from 900 and $2000 in 2006).
Teen Court is designed to develop respect for authority and the community and to stop potential delinquent behavior in the teenage years.
The goal is to “fully implement a trial model program using youth and adult volunteers, as a continuing alternative to formal juvenile probation processing and formal juvenile
court proceedings,” as its pamphlet explains.
Teen Court aims for rehabilitation and restorative justice, not punishment, Hoffek said; he prefers that the latter word not be used.
But do not think that the offenders get off scot-free.
Written apologies for actions and community service are often the requirements for offenders.
“They must be arrested or have broken some kind of law,” said Hoffek, noting that many of the offenders are underage drinkers. “If we can stop it after the first time, they will not
be a burden on society down the line.”
A parent or guardian must show up with the offender to hear the sentence; the jury also presides over a ‘trial,’ with the help of attorney volunteers like Ray Weber and Tim
Raycraft, who guide the process.
The parents/guardians are under scrutiny as well, noted Hoffek, and generally, the parents have been very receptive.
During a first hearing, a police officer will read the police report of the incident in question, and then the jury asks questions (after the attorney reads the charges and what
punishment those charges would incur in a regular court); after the questions are completed, the offender is taken out of the room as the jury deliberates.
The offender is retrieved after the ‘sentence’ is agreed upon, and that person has to agree to the sentence, be it community service or apology letters.
“Best-care scenario, we do not see these kids again,” said Hoffek, unless of course, the offender becomes a juror, which has happened.
But if the offender does not meet the requirements, he/she is remanded to the juvenile court, which likely turns out worse, according to Hoffek.
The offender must come back before the jury in a ‘callback;’ the offender must show the requirements have been met, and if they have not been, explain why.
The pool of jury members (high school students) is about 15-deep, though not every person shows up at every meeting, noted Hoffek.
Teen Court locally was based on a program in LaSalle-Peru almost four decades ago; Hoffek taught there at the time.
The program “could not exist without volunteers,” said Hoffek, mentioning people like Kristi Martin and Deb Behrens, who serve as citizen coordinators and also participate in
the questioning on occasion.
Brown, Riverton police officer Jim Lawley, Buffalo-Mechanicsburg’s Bill Hill and Williamsville’s Shawn Edwards are Hoffek’s “trench warriors,” helping keep the program strong.
Spaulding’s Kenny Metcalf just joined the program as well.
Hoffek, who also has worked for Gov. Jim Thompson and Horace Mann, among other places, said that it was easy to get kids involved in the program, which requires an oath of
confidentiality.
Martin noted that the offenders might have a tough time “pulling something over on someone your own age.”
The records are not public, so if the offender successfully completes the requirements set down by the jury, the offender’s record is expunged.
“We are trying to prevent something from becoming more serious,” said Hoffek. “We want to nip the problem in the bud before the juvenile court gets involved, because they
might get lost in the system there.”
Attorney General Lisa Madigan and her office have been a big help, according to Hoffek; the Teen Court concept is codified into state law as part of the Illinois Youth Court
Association.
The Williamsville/Sherman court has gotten younger recently, since some of the participants graduated, according to Hoffek.
Williamsville senior-to-be Lauren Brandt has been involved since the beginning.
Brown asked her to join, and she enjoys being a part of the program.
“I am proud to be involved,” she said. “I like seeing how other people have changed and gotten better, which is positive to see.
“I think doing it this way is better than juvie,” she added.
Lindsay Holler had just completed her first evening in the program, but her older sister Elena told her all about the program before.
“Hearing her talk about it really got me interested in it,” said Lindsay, who will be a freshman at WHS. “I want to help make changes in our community, and this is a way for me
to help people out.”
After going through her first evening, which included three callbacks, “it definitely backed up what my sister told me.
“This is a really good program and really does help people,” Lindsay concluded.
Four Riverton/Tri-City students were part of the jury last Wednesday; all three cases related to one specific incident.
Riverton senior-to-be Ashlee Schoby aggressively questioned the offenders in each case, and she admitted that sometimes her patience wears thin after hearing and reading
about some of the mistakes made.
“I do not have a lot of patience for kids who are not very smart, and it is tough to not go after them,” said Schoby, who became involved after a couple of her friends told her about
it.
Schoby picks up on the offender’s body language, especially during last week’s cases when the stories did not always seem to correlate.
“Some things they say trigger other questions,” she said.
One of the most important things Schoby has gotten from Teen Court is that she is much more respectful of rules like curfew.
“Being here and seeing the consequences, it makes me think more about the law, and it has made me more respectful and sympathetic to my parents,” she continued. “I
would be embarrassed” if her parents had to sit with her on the offender side.
Tri-City’s Kate Dean, who wants to go into forensics, admits that it can be tough at times to “strike a balance” between being too tough.
“If you are too tough, they will not care, and if you are more confrontational, they will think you are yelling at them,” said Dean.
Some of the offenses are surprising to Dean, who admits to wondering why they did what they did.
Like Schoby, Dean has become more respectful, especially toward her parents.
“This has changed me a lot,” she said.
Riverton senior-to-be Sara Nielsen, like Schoby, asked some pointed questions during the evening.
She, unlike Schoby or Dean, said it is not hard to not go too far.
“They should be old enough to be mature and know better,” she said simply “They should know what is right and what is wrong.”
Nielsen, who wants to be a forensic anthropologist, “wants to help these kids.
“We are not here to punish them or bring their self-esteem down,” she added.
T-C sophomore-to-be Asa Thomas just had finished his first night with the program where he got to ask questions.
His stepfather is a policeman and is friends with Hill, so it was easy for him to get involved.
Interested in being a game warden, policeman or conservation officer, Thomas acknowledged his “eyes were not opened” by what he heard last week.
“I was not surprised at all,” he said. “I know friends at school who know people who probably do some of these things.”
Thomas also admitted it can be tough to toe the line between lecturing and asking questions.
“Some of the things they do are really stupid,” he said.
That being said, Thomas thinks that community service “is more productive” and that “more can be gained” from that instead of jail time.
There are no plans to expand to Springfield or the southern part of Sangamon County; Hoffek would like to add in Illiopolis or maybe Pleasant Plains.
But all of this would not be possible without the volunteers and donations that come in, not only from the villages and police departments; Teen Court is a not-for-profit
corporation.
Hoffek estimated the budget around $4000, which includes food, T-shirts and three $500 scholarships handed out to one student from each of the three high schools involved.
Hoffek calls that support the “one of the most gratifying” parts of the program.
“To see the community support and volunteers we get” is wonderful, he said. “A lot of people approach me and ask how they can help.”
If you wish to contribute, please contact any of the police departments above or Hoffek.
Issue Date: June 26, 2008
