Rate of program graduates re-offending was only 6 percent
By Nathan Johnson
Yankton Daily Press and Dakotan
YANKTON, S.D. (AP) — During its first year in existence, the Yankton County Boys & Girls Club Teen Court Program has opened many people’s eyes.
Whether speaking with the youth who have gone through the process or the adults who have helped administer it since its inception in March 2013, many people agree teen court has had a bigger impact than they expected.
“I didn’t know if it was going to work,” said Yankton County State’s Attorney Rob Klimisch. “There was concern about kids talking in school (about the confidential cases) and a hierarchy of students that would result in some kids being treated differently. All the feedback I’ve gotten from parents and others has been fantastic.”
The result of that positive experience has been that Klimisch has steadily handed a larger variety of cases over to the teen court program.
What began as a tool to mete out justice to juveniles who had consumed alcohol or committed petty thefts has now expanded to include cases of simple assault, curfew violations, runaways and truancy.
“Due to the success of (teen court coordinator Kelsie Thoreson) running this program, we’ve put a little more burden on her,” Klimisch said.
He said a program may be established to handle cases of marijuana possession in the program’s second year.
Teen court dealt with more than 50 cases in its first year involving juveniles from 10 to 18 years of age. The rate of juveniles re-offending after going through the program was just 6 percent.
“I hope it works because they’re learning how to resist peer pressure, the consequences of their actions, accountability and other important lessons,” Thoreson said. “I think it’s a little shocking to be in front of their peers.”
Youth must enter teen court voluntarily, and it is a requirement to admit guilt. Thoreson said only one juvenile has opted to forego teen court in favor of formal court.
“I do an intake with the kids and their parents to explain teen court to them,” she stated.
If they agree to take part, they appear before the court at the Yankton County Courthouse and Safety Center the next week and admit guilt. As part of the process, they must offer a sincere apology — which can sometimes be an emotional experience.
“The jury sets how many community action points they feel is appropriate for the offender to complete,” Thoreson said. “To achieve those points, they may be required to spend time at the Boys & Girls Club and participate in programs, write an essay on restorative justice, volunteer in the community, or participate in drug and alcohol prevention program. We also feel it is important, after they have had their hearing, to come back to teen court and participate in the jury.”
If participants complete all the requirements of the court, the offenses are erased from their permanent records.
Previously, Klimisch would have the juveniles go through a diversion program administered by a court services officer.
“I would be surprised if this isn’t tremendously better than the results of the diversion program,” Klimisch said. “I think teen court decreases the strain on court services and allows it to deal with other clientele. That is a savings to the county taxpayer.”
Teens who have participated in the program say it has had a real impact on them.
Mike Marlow is a board member and has been the judge in the teen court proceedings.
“All participants recognized the seriousness of the proceedings, and I am confident the offenders learned valuable lessons,” he stated. “It was also obvious that some volunteers used the process as a way to explore possible careers in the legal field. I was surprised by the number of volunteers, and the quality of questions from all present. This was a good experience for me and the teen court participants.”
Teen court was funded through a grant for its first year, but continuation of the program will rely on support from individuals and businesses in the community, Thoreson said.
