Youth Court is a court of peers. Juveniles will be tried, judged, defended, and convicted or exonerated by a court compromised of other youths. The Court has guidelines established by adults and a Youth Court Steering Committee. Adults are always available for advice but the youths who are selected to serve on the Court will make the final decisions. Volunteers participating in the program are between the ages of 13 and 16, and a resident of Clarkstown, please contact the Youth Court Office for an volunteer application.

Provides a training program to introduce middle and high school students to understand their rights and the rights of others. The program utilizes legal system training, speakers and real court room experience which gives them a hands-on opportunity by representing their peers who are first time offenders in actual court cases. They can also take a Youth court bar exam, and an oath of confidentiality.

Provides an immediate response to mostly first time offenses that may be warning signs of future serious or violent delinquency. This early intervention also offers the defendant a second chance to make amends for his/her offense before being entered into the family/criminal court system, acquiring a record, paying Court fees, and being given the “juvenile delinquent”Positive peer pressure plays a major role in our Court hearings, as juvenile defendants must explain their conduct to Allegany County students who serve as Judge, Bailiff, Defense, Prosecution, Jury Foreperson, and Jury. These student Youth Court members know the circumstances of life in Allegany County and provide thoughtful and appropriate sentences in each individual case.

A voluntary alternative to the juvenile justice system for first time, nonviolent offenders under the age of 16. Eligible participants who are willing to admit culpability to the offense will have their sanctions determined by a peer court and jury. The major benefit for those who successfully complete the Youth Court program is the avoidance of a juvenile arrest record.

Trains specially recruited teens from the Town of Brookhaven to serve as court members. Focus on court proceedings, sentencing hearings and determinations for adjudicated youth through the Department of Probation. Referral by Department of Probation or school district required.

Provides an immediate response to mostly first time offenses that may be warning signs of future serious or violent delinquency. This early intervention also offers the defendant a second chance to make amends for his/her offense before being entered into the family/criminal court system, acquiring a record, paying Court fees, and being given the “juvenile delinquent”Positive peer pressure plays a major role in our Court hearings, as juvenile defendants must explain their conduct to Allegany County students who serve as Judge, Bailiff, Defense, Prosecution, Jury Foreperson, and Jury. These student Youth Court members know the circumstances of life in Allegany County and provide thoughtful and appropriate sentences in each individual case.

Family Court for Orleans County. Handles most cases involving youths between 8 and 16 years old who are charged with offenses that would be crimes if committed by adults. Also hears cases involving child custody, adoption, determination of support payments, and the paternity of children. Also deals with all types of family disputes except the termination of marriage which is handled exclusively by the Supreme Court.

Provides restorative justice in the community. Individuals are sentenced to community service hours through family court, probation, or youth court. Also offers tutoring where youth work with peers to learn study skills and improve academic standing.

Specialized court to handle cases involving children and families. Family Court judges hear a range of legal issues, including child abuse and neglect (child protection), adoption, child custody and visitation, domestic violence, guardianship, juvenile delinquency, paternity, persons in need of supervision (PINS), and child support. Call for detailed information.

Youth Court provides a youth court to hold offenders under 18 accountable, by their peers, and sentenced to services that will benefit both the community and themselves. Cases include shoplifting, criminal mischief, vandalism, and other low level offenses. Offenders who have been arrested and charged participate in the Youth Court Program. The youth court also provides opportunities and training for adolescents to serve as members of the court for those youth who have committed offenses in our community.

Provides a proactive response to increasing juvenile crime, an alternative to the criminal justice system for young people who have committed a crime or an offense. The goal of Youth Court is to intervene in early anti-social, delinquent, and criminal behavior, and to reduce the incidence and prevent the escalation of such behavior. Youth Court is a diversion program that gives first-time offenders a chance to avoid entering the criminal justice system or Family Court. It holds these youthful offenders accountable for their actions as they are judged by their peers. It also gives members an opportunity to work in the criminal justice system firsthand, prosecuting, defending, and judging the actions of their peers.

Provides a proactive response to increasing juvenile crime, an alternative to the criminal justice system for young people who have committed a crime or an offense. The goal of Youth Court is to intervene in early anti-social, delinquent, and criminal behavior, and to reduce the incidence and prevent the escalation of such behavior. Youth Court is a diversion program that gives first-time offenders a chance to avoid entering the criminal justice system or Family Court. It holds these youthful offenders accountable for their actions as they are judged by their peers. It also gives members an opportunity to work in the criminal justice system firsthand, prosecuting, defending, and judging the actions of their peers.

Family court that deals with petitions for custody, child support, juvenile delinquency, PINS, neglect, abuse, family offense and adoptions.

The mission is to resolve criminal cases through alternatives to conventional prosecution, sentencing and incarceration for young adults.

* Offers an alternative system of justice using peers as prosecution, defense, judge, bailiff and jurors: Holds youth accountable for their actions. Redirects them from negative behavior.

* Processes youth complaints and assists with programs through Family Court.

Alternative sentencing, supervision, pre-trial release, youth court, juvenile diversion. Formal supervision of youth 7-15 yrs, probation and community service programs.

* Appear in front of peers to discuss the poor choices they have made. The juvenile offenders are held accountable for their offenses and positive alternatives are addressed and supported.

The Youth Court is a program to help divert youth, who have been arrested for the first time or have committed minor offenses, away from family court, and also offer them the chance to participate in the justice system.