TEEN COURT
Maria Fernandez
Juvenile Case Manager
972-304-7084
mfernandez@coppelltx.gov
The Teen Court Program provides a voluntary alternative to the "sentencing arm," of Municipal Court. 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), enter a plea of guilty or nolo contendere and pay an administrative fee, to request permission of the court to go before a jury of their peers to receive their "sentence." 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 ninety days the case will be dismissed and no fine will be collected (although payment of administrative fees are required), and the offense does not become a part of the youth's record. This program provides an educational opportunity through which youths may take responsibility for their own actions while receiving a second chance.
The Coppell Teen Court program meets twice a month in the municipal courtroom, located at 130 Town Center Blvd., Coppell, Texas. Anyone interested in participating in the program as a defendant, teen volunteer, or adult volunteer, should contact Maria Fernandez, Juvenile Case Manager at 972-304-7084. Email address:mfernandez@coppelltx.gov.
2017 TEEN COURT DATES
| January 9 | January 23 |
| February 13 | February 27 |
| March 6 | March 20 |
| April 3 | April 17 |
| May 1 (check in time will be at 5:15pm) | May 15 |
| June 12 | June 26 |
| July 10 | July 24 |
| August 14 | August 28 |
| September 11 | September 25 |
| October 16 | October 23 |
| November 6 | November 13 |
| December 4 | December 11 |
RESOURCES
Teen Court Time Sheet
Preapproved Community Service Locations
Teen Volunteer Application.pdf
DRESS CODE
No one will be allowed into the teen courtroom wearing any of the following items:
- T-Shirts, or any shirt with excessive writing, besides a small logo.
- Tattered, or grossly over-sized jeans or pants, shorts, mini-skirts, or "skorts".
- Sandals or flip-flops, excluding women's open-toed dress shoes.
- Half shirts, midriff shirts, or any excessively revealing garment.
- Any hat or cap. Head wear will be collected by the bailiff and returned after the court session.
Anyone who does not comply with the dress code will not be allowed into the courtroom, and will not receive credit for appearing at that session.
VOLUNTEERS
Any adult or teen interested in the Coppell Teen Court program may volunteer to participate. Teen volunteers must be between 14-18 years old, be enrolled in middle school or high school, and must live in the Coppell Independent School District to serve.
- Teens may volunteer as an attorney, bailiff, clerk, or juror.
- Adult attorneys and judges may volunteer as a teen court judge, other adults may volunteer in a court supervision capacity.
- All adult volunteers must undergo a criminal background check.
