The photo in the paper was that of a sizeable group of smiling young people at the state Capitol. This was not just any tour group but one that is making a difference back home in Pine Bluff and Jefferson County.
The group was made up of students and staff of the Sixth Division Teen Court Diversion Program, which has been in operation since 2009.
The way the program is described as working is that student volunteers act as prosecutors and members of the jury as they oversee cases involving minors who are accused of minor crimes.
“Teen court is a successful diversion program for first time offenders,” according to a news release. “Teen court recruits students from the ninth grade to the 12th grade to serve as prosecutors, defense attorneys, court officers and jury. Student volunteers gain valuable experience on the court system and obtain volunteer hours.”
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
We can certainly see the benefit in removing some of the pressure felt by a first-time offender, in that they get to deal with peers rather than a judge. Then again, if a first time becomes a fifth time, maybe fear of a judge is a good thing.
We also see the benefit of this program as it applies to those meting out justice. The experience of listening to someone’s case — someone more or less in your own world — and asking questions and then trying to figure out what punishment best fits the crime would itself be one of those life lessons not easily forgotten. The “punishment” here is something along the lines of community service or counseling. And, again, as the program is described, it works, in that there is less likelihood of a second offense than if the accused had not gone through the diversion program.
That would seem like a win-win. One person is called to account and is able to profit by the experience, and another person gets an insight into matters that they will relate to in ways that most people can only imagine.