Dale Denwalt
Daily Elk Citian

Kindon Kaiser's watched his stepfather, an attorney, argue cases in court. Now he gets the chance.

The Elk City High School junior is just one of several volunteers in Teen Court, a program where juvenile offenders are prosecuted, defended and judged by their peers.

"I really like it just because you get to give someone an extra shot," said Kaiser.

FIRST, LAST CHANCE

Youths in Teen Court have pled guilty to their crimes in Municipal Court - usually simple offenses like truancy, shoplifting, assault and battery, disturbing the peace at school and tobacco use.

"A lot of those were offenses where nothing was really being done" at the court level, said City Attorney Steven Holloway. "The Municipal Court was overrun with them."

If they plead guilty, the city judge can send them to Teen Court, which meets monthly.

"And if the young person completes the terms of the sentence, it goes back to the Municipal Court where the case is dismissed," Holloway said.

Often, the Teen Court will sentence the defendants to community service, written apologies, Teen Court jury duty or anger management classes.

Karl Kumpf, another high school junior, is in his second year volunteering with Teen Court. He's involved because it helps prevent repeat offenders.

"Once they get a break come to them by going into Teen Court, they just decide, 'Well, that's my one free one. Now if I mess up again, I'm back in Municipal Court.'"

RECIDIVISM

Holloway said Teen Court lowers the rate of recidivism, where a guilty person commits another crime.

"The recidivism rate is so low that you know it's a successful program. Maybe one in 20 get in trouble again by interdicting them at a young age," he said. "Instead of nothing happening and them getting to 16 or 17 thinking they got away with a lot of stuff, it sets them on a course early and they just don't get back in trouble."

He said the program is a bonus for both the Municipal Court system and the volunteers.

"There were too many things that were just falling through the cracks and nothing was happening. This allows them to have consequences that they learn from, and these kids learn to speak and they learn to think on their feet," said Holloway. "It's a struggle at first, but they get better at it."

'LEARNING PROCESS'

Jada Hathaway is in her fourth year at Teen Court. The senior said the juveniles brought before the court take it seriously. So do the volunteers.

"I think it's a good learning process. It teaches you that you don't want to be in that person's shoes and you can learn from it yourself," she said.

Being questioned about their illegal acts makes some defendants nervous and puts them in a challenging situation.

"It makes them really think about it," said Hathaway.

The impact of their experience can continue after they're sentenced.

"Sometimes you can sentence them to come and be a jury member with you, and I think through that they learn and they would rather be on your side than where they've been before," Hathaway said.

JUVENILE RIGHTS

Program director Clint Miller said the Teens fill all the roles of a regular court, like bailiff, clerk, peer judge and prosecutor.

"We don't throw anybody in, like as defense attorney, if they don't want to be," he said.

Miller also said the program has significant positives.

"One of the main benefits is if they complete all their sentencing and they don't have any problems with them, it's off their record when they complete it all," he said. "It's their one 'get out of jail, free' card."

Associate District Judge Michelle K. Roper, who served Tuesday night as an assistant for the defense, said the volunteers are learning to fight for the rights of others.

"And it's huge, watching them develop that capacity and seeing them develop their instincts on how to fight for other people who may not have anyone else fighting for them," she said.