Latest news with #TeenCourt
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
El Paso Municipal Court receives $6K grant for teen driving initiative
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — The City of El Paso Municipal Court announced a $6,000 grant on Wednesday, May 14, to its Teen Court program's Teens Behind the Wheel initiative for youth driving education and safety. According to the City of El Paso's news release, the Texas Bar Foundation awarded the Teen Court program a $6,907 grant. 'We are honored and grateful to accept this grant award,' El Paso Municipal Court DirectorAnnabelle Casas said. 'These grant funds will make a difference and support efforts to strengthen traffic safety with teens and families in our community. Thank you to the Texas Bar Foundation for investing in our community and support to the El Paso Municipal Court Teen Court Program.' Teen Court is a justice program run by teenagers for teenagers and serves as a peer court for misdemeanor and traffic offenses, the City said. The program has teens volunteer to perform roles of a juror, court clerk bailiff, attorney or prosecutor, the City said. According to a spokesperson with the City, if a teenager chooses to participate in the Teen Court program after receiving a citation and they receive a no driver's license citation, they can opt to participate in driver's education to acquire a permit. The Teen Court Case Managers will work to refer participants to a driving school. The Teens Behind the Wheel initiative assists in paying a portion of the driver's education program or in full, the City said. Typically, driver's education costs families $300 to $400. Not only will the grant cover the cost of driver's education for some teens, but also assist in expanding the Teen Court program by purchasing educational and promotional materials. 'I couldn't be prouder of this program and all that it has accomplished over the last seven years,' Municipal Court Judge Michelle Morales said. 'This grant will allow us to expand the program and spread the word all over the community about the Teen Court program and instill in our youth the idea of how important it is to serve your community in the best way you can.' For more information about the Teen Court program, you can visit the City of El Paso's website. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
26-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
New Iberia Teen Court teach teens the justice system
NEW IBERIA, La. (KLFY) — A mock trial by the New Iberia Teen Court was held in the New Iberia City Hall Courtroom on Tuesday night to display a real courtroom scenario to kids and show them what can happen in the justice system. Tyra Mcwhorter is the director of teen court. She said it is 'basically a sentencing court, and the beauty of it is justice for teens by teens.' Teen Court was started by the Garon Paul Atkinson Lewis Foundation to help steer teens away from violence. President and founder of GPAL Foundation Raymond 'Shoe-Do' Lewis said they have been successful in doing so. Lewis said, 'When we started, New Iberia was number 23 in the country in cities our size in violent crimes. Since we have been dealing with the Teen Court, it has dramatically dropped.' Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now This is the third mock trial that has been put together. The scenario is a teen who was at school that got caught selling vape pens in the bathroom. The teens can choose to be the judge, prosecutor, defense attorney, the clerk, the bailiff or the jurors. Once assigned, they are trained in the position. Lewis and Mcwhorter said its presence gives kids opportunities to be active in the community and exposes them to possible career paths in law. 'It shows them there is a better way,' said Lewis. 'They come;they don't want to leave. They get sentenced by their peers; they don't want to leave.' 'I get excited about it, watching these kids take it serious,' said Mcwhorter. 'I wish I could pay them because they do a very good job, and hopefully the world is able to see how much work they put into it and how they really care about what they do.' GOP rallies behind debt limit hike in Trump tax bill, speedy timeline The MLB teams with the highest — and lowest — median ticket prices: report Helix A.I. and Medical Academy nears completion New Iberia Teen Court teach teens the justice system Youngsville high schooler honored as 'Young Hero' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
