BASTROP COUNTY TEEN COURT
MISSION STATEMENT

The purpose of Bastrop County Teen Court, which was organized in 1996, is to provide an opportunity to youthful offenders for an alternative method of adjudicating a first time misdemeanor through its program of statutory peer accountability.

The goals of Bastrop County Teen Court are:

Interrupt developing patterns of delinquent behavior by promoting self-esteem, motivating self-improvement and responsible behavior, and encouraging a healthy attitude toward authority.

Education of the legal and judicial systems, which may result in the youth reassessing their views on delinquent behavior and adopting a more positive pro-social behavior.

Offering youth leadership training through a real world experience of actively participating in the judicial process.

Helping youth realize the impact their problem behavior has on themselves and on others, and to educate and encourage them about making the right decisions in their futures.

ARRIVAL TIMES:

You must arrive no later than 6:00 p.m. as we go over all policies and procedures at this time. You must be accompanied by a parent.

POLICY:

Your child has been chosen to participate in the Bastrop County Teen Court Program. If your child is 10-13 years old you must accompany them each court session. If your child is 14 years old and up you must attend the first night of their trial with them. On jury nights for 14 and up, your child must be picked up by 8:00 p.m. (No Exceptions) we are not responsible for your child after court is adjourned.

PROCEDURES:

• AFTER YOU HAVE SEEN THE JUDGE, YOU WILL RECEIVE A DEFENDANT’S SUMMONS THROUGH THE MAIL. IF THERE IS A BACKLOG OF CASES, YOU WILL NOT RECEIVE IT IMMEDIATELY. YOUR SUMMONS IS NORMALLY MAILED AT LEAST A WEEK PRIOR TO THE COURT DATE
  
  
• YOU MUST ARRIVE WITH YOU PARENT/GUARDIAN AT THE COURTROOM NO LATER THAN 6:00 P.M. ON THE TRIAL DATE TO SIGN IN AT THE DESK AND ATTEND A BRIEFING BEFORE COURT CONVENES.
  
  
• YOU WILL HAVE YOUR TRIAL, RECEIVE THE SENTENCE, THEN RETURN TO THE FRONT DESK WITH PARENT/GUARDIAN TO SIGN THE COMMUNITY SERVICE AGREEMENT. AFTER THAT IS COMPLETED, YOU MAY LEAVE.
  
  
• YOU WILL HAVE BEEN SENTENCED TO SERVE A SPECIFIED NUMBER OF JURY DUTIES. THEY CAN BE SERVED AT ANYTIME DURING THE 90 DAYS. YOU SHOULD RECEIVE A REMINDER OF YOUR JURY SERVICE A FEW DAYS BEFORE THE DATE OF COURT.
  
  
• WHEN ALL OF YOUR SENTENCING REQUIREMENTS ARE COMPLETE TURN IN TIME SHEETS, ANY CERTIFICATES OR OTHER PAPERWORK TO MUNICIPAL COURT WHERE IT WILL BE PLACED IN THE COORDINATOR’S MAILBOX. IF EVERYTHING IS IN ORDER, THE COORDINATOR WILL MAIL YOU A COMPLETION NOTICE, AS WELL AS FORWARD A COPY TO THE REFERRING COURT SO THAT THEY CAN REMOVE THE CASE FROM YOUR RECORD.
  
  

Updated: 1/29/08

Copyright © 2005
Seth Chomout

Any questions about Teen Court should be directed to our executive director:
Cindy Allen, email teencourt@live.com or to Bastrop Municipal Court - (512) 321-4522
You can also visit 104 Grady Tuck Lane, Bastrop, TX 78602