Chatham County Teen Court accepts referrals of first-time offenders ages 11-18 who have admitted guilt to misdemeanor offenses such as assault, affray, underage possession/consumption of drugs, alcohol and or drug paraphernalia, vandalism, disorderly conduct, and larceny/shoplifting. Teen Court will not accept cases involving sexual offenses, firearms, hate crimes, motor vehicle violations, and offenses that have resulted in serious injury. Cases are referred to Teen Court by law enforcement, school resource officers, judges and court counselors. Defendants who refuse to participate in Teen Court are directed back to the referring agency and may be subject to prosecution in traditional juvenile or district court.
The program is voluntary and confidential. Trained student volunteers take on the roles of attorneys, clerks, bailiffs, and jurors. An adult judge presides over court proceedings. As in traditional court, student attorneys present the facts of the case to the court, and the peer jury is responsible for rendering a constructive sentence that benefits the defendant and the community. Most sentences involve serving as a juror in future cases and community service, but can also include apology letters, counseling, mediation, essays, observation of District Court and educational seminars.
If you’d like to be a part of the Teen Court program please contact Jazmin Mendoza Sosa at jmendozasosa@cischatham.org
To be a Teen Court Youth volunteer:
- Email Jazmin to sign up to attend a Jury Duty training.
- Commit to program involvement for one year.
- Sign confidentiality agreement.
To be a Teen Court Adult Volunteer*
- Complete a volunteer application.
- Provide 4 references.
- Participate in an interview.
- Complete Disclosure Authorization – Criminal History and Driving Check
- Sign confidentiality agreement.
*Judges, attorneys, and law enforcement are exempt.
Siler City Teen Court will be held at the Town Hall courtroom in Siler City- 311 N. Second Avenue. Please use rear entrance off Chatham Avenue, between the fire department and police station. Enter through the back door of Town Hall.
Pittsboro Teen Court is held at the Historic Courthouse in Pittsboro: 9 Hillsboro Street, Pittsboro NC (The courthouse building in the traffic Circle at the intersection of 15-501 and “old” 64). Please enter by the North entrance, behind the statue.
All Teen Court hearings will begin promptly at 6:00 and end at approximately 8:00 pm depending on the number of cases to be heard. Please arrive promptly at 5:45 (5:15 for attorneys) sharp is necessary. There will be no access to the courtroom after the first hearing has started.Teen Court is typically held on the 2nd and 5th Wednesday.
Judges, jury, bailiffs and observers should arrive no later than 5:45.
Courthouse doors are locked during proceedings, starting at 6:00.
Defendants and Attorneys should arrive no later than 5:15.
Ramiro Martinez: Teen Court Manager
Email: rmartinez@cischatham.org Phone: (919) 663-0116 ext. 406
Download a printable copy of the Teen Court calendar.