The South Dakota Elks organization has given a $12,000 donation to the South Dakota Teen Court Association.
The donation will be used to support Teen Court programs operating in all seven judicial circuits in the state– including in Fort Pierre, Pierre and Onida in the central part of the state (Sixth Judicial Circuit).
Teen Court statewide coordinator Jennifer Stalley says the program provides an alternative court for youth ages 10-18 years old who have committed misdemeanor offenses. She says youth offenders are given the opportunity to be judged and sentenced by their peers, with an emphasis on restorative justice rather than punitive retribution.
Stalley says the mission of teen court is to be impactful on youth so they understand actions have consequences, but also require the youth to make amends in a way that sets them on a positive path. She says youth volunteers act in all capacities– attorneys, bailiffs and the jury– except the judge. Upon successful completion of the sentence, a letter is sent to the appropriate State’s Attorney recommending dismissal of the case.
Stalley says the first Teen Court program in South Dakota was established in Lawrence County in 1995. Since 2003, these programs have heard over 6,500 cases and South Dakota youth have volunteered over 60,000 hours to serve as attorneys, bailiffs and jurors. She says volunteers develop their public speaking and leadership skills and gain self-confidence. Additionally, these volunteers have a deeper respect for the legal system and law enforcement.
The South Dakota Teen Court Association administers the Teen Court Grant Program created by the South Dakota Legislature in 2007. The program provides grants to new teen courts throughout the state through a competitive grant application process.
Click your area for more information about your local program:
Tom Adams of Lead, president of the South Dakota Elks Association, made the donation at a Lawrence County Teen Court Session in April 2021.
Photo credit Jaci Conrad Pearson, Black Hills Pioneer.
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