The Teen Court Program provides a voluntary alternative to the
"sentencing arm" of the Municipal Court allowing a teen to request permission of the court to go before a jury of their peers
to receive their "sentence."
To be eligible, participants must:
- be between the ages of 14 and 18;
- currently enrolled in a middle or high school;
- have received a citation in the City of Coppell for a
Class C misdemeanor offense (not related to alcohol
or tobacco);
- have not completed a Teen Court program within the
last 12 months;
- enter a plea of guilty or nolo contendere; and
- pay a non-refundable administrative fee.
The verdicts rendered in Teen Court include a specific number of
community service hours and at least one jury term, in lieu of
paying the fine and having the offense go on their record.
If the requirements are completed within 90 days, the case will
be dismissed and no fine will be collected (although payment of administrative fees are required). The offense does not be-
come a part of the teen's record. This program provides an educational opportunity through which youths may take responsibility for their own actions while receiving a second chance.
