Teen Court

They are strangers to one another, unsure of themselves and the situation, these two dozen teen-aged girls who are spending a rare sunny March Saturday inside a windowless King County courtroom. Their only common denominator is that each was due to testify soon in a sexual abuse or other type of criminal case.

Staff stress the goal of Teen Court is to help participants relax and tell the truth in court. There is absolutely no discussion of individual cases, and throughout the day whenever girls ask questions about their own situation, it is gently requested that they discuss the matter with their prosecutor individually.

Early morning the teens listen to guest speakers, girls who have already successfully testified in court answer questions about their experience. The audience hangs on every word and if allowed would go on asking questions indefinitely.  

Next the prosecutor outlines the various functions of court personnel and the normal course of a trial. She emphasizes that the girls should dress normally, just "be yourselves and tell the truth." For the first time the girls start to ask questions and once they start, there is no stopping them.  

Did they have to look at the defendant when asked to identify him? (No, they could describe where he was sitting and what he was wearing. They could spend their whole court time staring at their prosecutor, or advocate, or friend) What if they forgot the details of their statement to police? Where would they wait before testifying? Could they listen to the testimony of other witnesses? Did the defendant have to testify, or could they ask that he not do so?

As the morning draws to a conclusion, the girls learn several techniques for relaxing during the coming days before trial and during their testimony itself. A relaxation specialist teaches them how to "thought stop" when plagued by worries, and how to do full body relaxation. At the conclusion of the session, delicate gift packages of toiletries, notecards and other sundries are given out as thanks to the girls for "being so brave" while participating in the criminal justice process.

As the girls prepare to leave, many exchange names, phone numbers and addresses. Perhaps as valuable to them as learning the ins and outs of the courtroom is the chance to see others of their contemporaries in the same position they are.  

Thanks to Teen Court, they know they are not alone.

For further information, contact:
Donna Belin, Director
King County Kids' Court
Office of the Prosecuting Attorney
Special Assault Unit
704 - 228th Avenue Northeast, PMB 323
Sammamish, WA 98074

E-Mail: Donna Belin
(206) 386-5437
(425) 868-4740 (fax)

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May 2006