Jasmin A. Rossi

Journal article

Adolescent offenders who are processed through the traditional juvenile system frequently face an array of negative consequences, including future criminality. In response, specialized “teen courts” have been established across the United States, offering an alternative processing solution for low-level adolescent offenders. By allowing youths to be tried and sentenced by a jury of same-aged peers, these teen courts are widely believed to bolster amenability to positive behavioral change. However, there is little empirical basis for claims of the effectiveness of teen court participation, and current literature overwhelmingly presents cursory investigations into the value of the teen court model as it relates to behavioral improvement. Specifically, existing research fails to explore why teen courts may, in the first place, be capable of improving behavior. This case study, which carefully observed five Florida teen court participants, aims to be the first to explore this insofar untouched question. Through a comprehensive thematic analysis, it was concluded that teen court may be capable of improving the behavioral outcomes of first time misdemeanor offenders by providing consequences to actions, empowerment, and a supportive environment. This conclusion serves as a catalyst for future research beyond the Florida teen court participants who were studied.