TEENS TO FACE TRIAL BY PEERS

Teens facing misdemeanor charges might no longer be tried by a judge and
jury, but by a group much tougher - their peers.

Teen Court was recently approved for Lenoir County. First-time offenders
between the ages of 6 and 18, charged with alcohol and drug use, larceny,
simple assault and other minor offenses, are eligible for Teen Court.

"The key is the juvenile has to admit he has done something wrong," said
Guardian ad Litem District Administrator Colleen Kosinski. "If the offender
cooperates and completes his sentence, they won't have a criminal record."

Kosinski said Teen Court is something the Lenoir County Juvenile Crime
Prevention Council has wanted to do for a few years.

The council was given a $224,974 grant from the state Department of
Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. After all of the money
earmarked for other programs was spent, $24,078 was left over to implement
the Teen Court Program.

Kosinski hopes to begin Teen Court in late September. Court sessions will
be held in the Lenoir County Courthouse in the evenings.

District Attorney Branson "Branny" Vickory said Teen Court is an excellent
opportunity for youngsters with one misdemeanor charge.

"Sometimes it means a little more to a child if they are sentenced by
someone their own age," Vickory said. "I think it is a wise use of JCPC
money. So far, I haven't seen a downside to the program."

Kosinski said high school students will be asked to volunteer to serve on
the jury, prosecute the case or defend the juvenile. A judge or district
attorney will preside over the proceedings.

The jury can fine the offender or sentence him to community service or
rehabilitation classes. Jurors are given penalty guidelines.

"The highest sentence is 20 hours of community service, 20 hours of an
education program and a financial payment," said Sudie Davis, executive
director of Community in Schools in Wayne County.

Wayne County has used the Teen Court program since April 2000. Wayne County
is among about 20 counties in the state participating in Teen Court.

Davis said she is thrilled the program will now expand to Lenoir County.
"The program has grown by leaps and bounds in Wayne County," Davis said.
"The only drawback is we keep having kids referred to us. Our grant was to
serve 40 kids, but we'll probably see 75 to 80 kids this year."

Kosinski said Teen Court has been a proven model throughout the state.

"It can impact the kids and keep them out of trouble," she said. "Anytime
you can keep the lable of court involved' off of a kid, it's a good thing."