THE ASSOCIATION OF TEXAS COASTAL TEEN COURTS

And

Youth Criminal Justice Programs

In Cooperation with the Criminal Justice Institute and the Blakely Advocacy Institute

Of the University of Houston Law Center

 held the

Conference Sponsors:  University of Houston Law Center, Matagorda County Teen Court Program, El Campo Boys & Girls Club, Boy Scouts of Matagorda County and Wharton County, Fort Bend Teen Court of Missouri City, Greenspoint Teen Court, IMBGA  of  Texas, St. Mark Missionary Baptist Church, 

The Conference

The Association of Texas Coastal Teen Courts held the first conference designed specifically for Youth participating in Teen Courts, Youth Courts, and Youth Criminal Justice projects interested in developing legal skills, courtroom ethics and conduct, constructive community service for teens and Restorative Justice training for  Youth Offenders, Youth Volunteers  and Teen Victims  of Crime.

The primary goal of this conference was to provide youth volunteers in Teen Court and other Criminal Justice Projects preliminary skills that will assist them in the operation of a successful Teen Court or Criminal Justice Program while also helping Teen Offenders  take responsibility for criminal misconduct and begin a new way of life through the Restorative Justice process. Under the direction of highly qualified attorneys, legal professionals, law students and other professionals, participants will be able to identify and enhance the skills and training needed in their own Teen Court and Criminal Justice projects and assess which training alternatives would best fit their needs. In addition, the conference will establish ongoing relationships among participants who are interested in developing legal skills training and restorative justice projects.

During the conference, the Teen Attorneys and Teen Court Staff and Volunteer teen jurors  conducted trials of actual cases with real offenders who have volunteered to have their cases heard.  The Teen Offenders will then go on to serve their sentences through the Restorative Justice process.  Youth participants will discuss issues relating to the professional and academic needs for skills training for all youth involved in criminal justice projects.

All participants in the Trials held will be under the guidance of legal professionals and will be evaluated to enhance their future participation in the legal process so that all attendees may maximize the benefits of the conference.

The conference will consist of two full day sessions.  The first day will include preparatory workshops in legal skills training and restorative justice for all participants.   The second day will consist of Offender Trials and related activities.

After the conference Teen Offenders and Teen volunteers will participate in Community Service and Restorative Justice projects assisting the victims of Hurricane Rita and Hurricane Katrina along the Gulf Coast Region of Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama during the selected period of the Summer vacation.