Pflugerville Poised To Launch Teen Court Program

PFLUGERVILLE, TEXAS — The city is poised to launch a Teen Court Program yielding an opportunity for local tens to participate in the municipal court process, officials said this week.

To that end, the City of Pflugerville is accepting applications from youth between the ages of 10 and 17 to serve on the 2019 Teen Court consisting of 25 young people. The court will meet on the second Wednesday each month starting on Feb. 13 at 5 p.m. Training will take place the week of Feb. 4.

Participants will commit to a training session and then one evening per month of court. Teens will serve in various roles from juror to attorney after receiving training and instruction in the judicial process. The group will work closely with Municipal Court Judge Farren Sheehan to hear actual Class C misdemeanor cases.

“The court is a great opportunity for any teen interested in exploring or pursuing a career in law, law enforcement, or criminal justic," Sheehan said in a prepared statement. "Teens are encouraged to apply to learn the inner workings of the judicial system as an actual part of the municipal court. The Teen Court holds juvenile offenders responsible for their behavior and provides potential for a more positive experience with the judicial system with hopes of reducing recidivism and helping to deter future crimes.”

The Teen Court is a voluntary alternative to the sentencing arm of the Municipal and Justice of the Peace Courts. Teens can enter a plea of guilty or no contest and have the sentencing aspect of the case heard by their peers. Instead of paying a fine, the sentence will be community service. Applications are being accepted on a rolling basis.The first meeting of the Teen Court will be the week of February 4 for initial training.

For additional information and to apply, visit https://www.pflugervilletx.gov/city-government/municipal-court/teen-court, email teencourt@pflugervilletx.gov or call 512-990-6285.

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