Teen Court

Teen Court is a specially designed court that hears only certain Class C misdemeanor cases (excluding speeding 25+ miles over the posted limit, offenses in a work zone, fail to stop/passing a school bus, assault, drug, alcohol or tobacco). The individual cases are defended and prosecuted by teen attorneys and the verdict is rendered by a jury of teens. The Judge for Georgetown Municipal Court serves as the Teen Court Judge.

The City of Georgetown, in cooperation with Georgetown Independent School District and Williamson County, administers the Teen Court program. All Teen Court sessions are open to the public.

Any person who meets the following criteria may be eligible:

• is between the ages of 13 and 17 (some 18 year olds may be eligible)
• has received a certain Class C misdemeanor citation (no speeding 25+ miles over the posted limit, offenses in a work zone, fail to stop/passing a school bus, assault, drug, alcohol, or tobacco case)
• pleads guilty or nolo contendre (no contest)
• lives within the boundaries of GISD
• has not been a defendant in teen court in the past two years
• must remain a student in an accredited secondary school while completing the teen court sentence
• anyone who is on probation or whose case involves personal injury must obtain approval from the Judge having original jurisdiction

Absolutely! Teen Court is a legal court held in a regular courtroom. ALL participants must observe the following:

• No shorts
• No torn or dirty jeans
• No hats or caps
• No T-shirts
• No tank tops
• No spaghetti straps
• No gum chewing
• No sandals, shower shoes or flip flops
• Shirts must be tucked in

Teen Court reserves the right to refuse participation for anyone who does not meet these guidelines. Defendants' cases may be referred back to a regular court.

Penalties consist of Community Service Restitution (CSR) hours and required jury service. Offenses are categorized into five classes.

• Class 1: 5-10 hours CSR + 1-2 jury terms. Includes individual seat belt, vehicle equipment, and parking,
• Class 2: 10-20 hours CSR + 1-3 jury terms. Includes expired driver's license, traffic light, stop sign, fail to yield/signal, speeding 1-9 mph over the limit, and noise violations.
• Class 3: 20-30 hours CSR + 2-3 jury terms. Includes speeding 10-24 mph over the limit, third party seat belt violations, speeding 1-24 mph over in a school zone, and driving without a license.
• Class 4: 30-40 hours CSR + 2-4 jury terms. Includes public order, handicap parking, and FMFR.
• Class 5: 40-60 CSR + 3-4 jury terms. Any violation involving a collision and theft under $50.00.

VIOLATIONS EXCLUDED FROM THE TEEN COURT PROGRAM ARE: SPEEDING 25+ MILES OVER THE POSTED LIMIT, OFFENSES IN A WORK ZONE, FAIL TO STOP/PASSING A SCHOOL BUS, ASSAULT, DRUG, ALCOHOL OR TOBACCO.

In lieu of a fine, a Teen Court defendant must agree to perform Community Service Restitution (CSR) hours as determined by the jury. CSR hours must be performed at a non profit organization in the Georgetown area. Approval may be requested prior to performing the hours. Immediately after their penalty has been determined, the defendant will be given a log sheet on which all CSR hours must be recorde.

In addition to CSR hours, juries assign mandatory jury terms. One complete night of jury duty is considered one jury term. All jurors must stay for the entire court session.

Defendants have 90 days in which to complete these hours. The original log sheet must be returned to the court after all hours and jury terms are completed. Anyone failing to complete his or her obligation within the prescribed 90 days will be referred back to the originating court for sentencing. This may result in a conviction and payment of the original fine.

Successful completion of assigned CSR hours and Jury Terms will result in dismissal of the citation.

Tina Heine, Deputy Clerk/ JCM (512) 931-7712

Rick Garza, School Coordinator (512) 943-5100 Ext 7013

Georgetown Police Department (512) 930-3510 (non-emergency number)

Georgetown Municipal Court (512) 930-3625

TX DPS Office (512) 863-5816

Williamson Co. Sheriff's Office (512) 943-1300

The following are Teen Court's dates and corresponding CSR due dates. All sessions are held on Monday nights.

All Teen Court sessions are held at 6:00pm in the City Council Chambers at 101 E. 7th St. Defendants and teen attorneys should be in the courtroom by 5:30pm and all jurors by 5:45pm.