Juvenile Arbitration
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Juvenile Arbitration Program


The Juvenile Arbitration Program is a diversion program for first time juvenile misdemeanor offenders.  Juveniles who enter the program and successfully complete it will earn a dismissal of their charge from the referring agency.

The purpose of the Program is to divert selected first time misdemeanor offenders from formal court proceedings in order to reduce the number of juvenile court cases; allow the court to concentrate its efforts on the most serious juvenile offenders; provide an individualized plan of consequences, education and treatment for the accused youth that will be monitored on a more intensive basis; and to prevent the youths’ further involvement in the Criminal Justice System.

Eligible Participants
a. Youth Charged with a first time misdemeanor offense.
b. Youth referred to arbitration shall be assigned a point value for the primary offense.
c. Victims in the case must consent prior to youth entering Juvenile Arbitration.
d. Approval of the appropriate court authorities (i.e., Judge, Program Director, Law Enforcement Agencies, Sheriff's Office, State Attorney’s Office).
e. Parent and youth will waive youth’s right to a speedy trial prior to Juvenile Arbitration.
f. The parent/legal guardian and youth will sign an Agreement that stipulates conditions for the youth to complete for successful completion from Juvenile Arbitration.

Procedures

Juveniles enter the Juvenile Arbitration Program in one of two ways:
1. Teen Court
2. Initial Hearing

The juvenile defendant is issued a follow-up hearing date approximately 6-8 weeks following the initial hearing.  The juvenile must have all sanctions completed by that date.  The juvenile and parent(s) are required to attend the follow-up hearing, which is held with a hearing officer.  The hearing officer will either successfully complete the juvenile from the program on that date or  the juvenile will be unsuccessfully terminated.  The hearing officer prepares a final report in each case and it is sent to the referring agency for appropriate disposition.


Violations, which cause removal from the program, include the following:
1. 12 or more points accrued by juvenile.
2. Refusal to cooperate
3. If youth is charged with a new offense while in the program,
4. Moved out of area
5. If child is under the influence of alcohol or drugs while on campus at any Juvenile Arbitration Programs.
6. If Juvenile Arbitration Program staff feels juvenile is inappropriate for diversion.
7. Failure to appear for hearing on two consecutive dates.

Juvenile Arbitration Felony Diversion Program
S.T.O.P. (Service and Treatment for Offender Prevention)


S.T.O.P. is a court diversion program for juveniles who are repeat misdemeanor offenders and/or third degree felony offenders (exclusive of third degree felonies involving personal violence, grand theft auto, or the use of a weapon).

It is a long term intensive arbitration program that requires juvenile offenders to complete specified sanctions such as community service, counseling (individual or family), school attendance and/or gainful employment, and various individualized sanctions.  In most cases, fulfillment of all sanctions avoids prosecution and a juvenile record.

Juveniles who are repeat misdemeanor offenders or third degree felony offenders (exclusive of third degree felonies involving personal violence, grand theft auto, or the use of a weapon) will be considered for S.T.O.P.  Juveniles who have been charged with retail or petit theft for a second time will not be eligible to participate in the program on a direct referral from the State Attorney’s Office.  However, juveniles charged with retail or petit theft for the second time may participant on a court order/plan, Juveniles who have two previous court diversions will not be eligible for participation. Also, if a juvenile has accrued 12 or more points through arbitration they will not be considered for the program.

S.T.O.P. participants enter this program through an initial hearing.  At the hearing, the juvenile will be assigned appropriate sanctions.  These sanctions include a minimum of 50 community service hours and mandatory weekly phone contact.

S.T.O.P. participants are required to attend a mid-term hearing approximately 60 days after the initial hearing.  This hearing is to verify that the juvenile is complying with his/her sanctions.  At this time progress will be noted and appropriate action will be taken to aid the juvenile in the completion of the program.

The final hearing will be conducted approximately 120 days after the initial hearing.  If the juvenile has completed all sanctions he/she was assigned, the case will be closed successfully.  However, if all sanctions were not completed the case may be continued or closed unsuccessfully at the discretion of the hearing officer.  A final report will be sent to the referring agency indicating the disposition of the juvenile.
Juvenile Drug Court Program


The Juvenile Drug Court Program is a diversion program for juveniles who have received misdemeanor and/or felony drug charges.  Juveniles who enter the program and successfully complete it will earn a dismissal of their charge from the referring agency.

Participants are required to submit to random urinalyses as well as a drug assessment.  An initial hearing is scheduled with a hearing master for the Juvenile Drug Court Program.  Participants are given appropriate sanctions, which must be completed.  Hearings are scheduled monthly to monitor progress of the participants in the Juvenile Drug Court Program.
Teen Court


What is Teen Court?

Teen Court’s purpose for the teen offender is to interrupt developing patterns of criminal behavior in juveniles

Teen Court is a non-judicial juvenile diversion program for youth under 18 years of age and is a part of the Juvenile Arbitration Program.  Teen Court’s purpose for the teen offender is to interrupt developing patterns of criminal behavior in juveniles by promoting self-esteem, motivation for self-improvement, and a healthy attitude toward authority.  Teen Court also provides an educational forum for non-offending teens in the community.  It allows teens to participate in the legal process, become familiar with the court system, and learn about various career opportunities the court system has to offer.

How Teen Court Works

Juveniles who admit guilt to the charges brought against them are eligible for participation in Teen Court.  Offenders are eligible for participation in Teen Court only one time and must have a parent/guardian at all proceedings.  After the hearing is conducted, the defendant is read the sanctions that will be imposed on him/her by a group of his peers.  The defendant is required to assume responsibility for his/her behavior and to accept the consequences or punishment sentence set by his/her peers.  The defendant has six weeks to complete his/her sanctions, which may entail various educational classes, community service, essays, letters of apology, jail tour, gang awareness program, conflict resolution education, dropout prevention education, funeral home tour, preteen awareness class, theft prevention and substance abuse awareness program, counseling, and urinalysis testing.  At the end of the six weeks, the defendant meets with Teen Court personnel to ensure that all sanctions assigned have been completed and will then earn a dismissal of his/her charge.

Offenders are eligible for participation in Teen Court only one time and must have a parent/guardian at all proceedings.

Who Makes Teen Court Work?

Teen Court volunteers are primarily high school students.  Typically, these students are from law studies classes, students interested in government, or public speaking.  Students who serve as volunteers are required to have no prior juvenile offenses.  Students take a four-hour training course provided by Assistant State Attorneys, Public Defenders, and Teen Court staff.  Teen Court members act as bailiff, court clerk, jury, and prosecuting and defense attorneys.  Volunteers from the State Attorney and Public Defender’s offices preside over the hearings as the “hearing judge” and assist the students who act as prosecuting and defense attorneys.  Other volunteers may include teacher liaisons from participating schools, and Police Explorers who serve as bailiffs during Teen Court proceedings.

Teen Court also provides an educational forum for non-offending teens in the community.

If you have any questions regarding the Teen Court Program or referral process, please contact :

Pinellas County:

Xay Xiong, Teen Court Program Specialist II or Thomas Toy, Teen Court Coordinator at 582-7400.

                             Juvenile Arbitration Teen Court
                             501 Building 501 1ST Avenue North
                             St. Petersburg, Florida.  33701
                             (727) 582-7400  FAX (727) 582-7762

Pasco County:

Randy Holm, Teen Court Coordinator at 727-847-2411 ext. 7410

                             Juvenile Arbitration Teen Court
                             7530 Little Road, Room 201
                             New Port Richey, FL 34654
                             (727) 847-8915  FAX (727) 847-8931
Traffic Teen Court

Certain criminal and non-criminal traffic offenses and traffic infractions incurred by juveniles may be referred if deemed appropriate by a Traffic Court Judge or Hearing Officer.   The referral process is a succinct one whereby once a Traffic Court Judge/Magistrate orders a juvenile to complete Teen Court, a Teen Court Traffic Referral Form is sent interoffice by the Traffic Court Clerk or Judicial Assistant to the Juvenile Arbitration Teen Court Program. Teen Court staff notifies the juvenile and his or her parent of the day, date and time of the Traffic Teen Court hearing.  Once the hearing is conducted, Teen Court staff supervises completion of program and a final report is submitted to Traffic Court Clerk’s Office and to Traffic Court Judge or Hearing Officer.  By conducting Teen Court hearings within seven days of receiving a referral and by offering educational program such as: Mothers Against Drunk Driving, Maximum Jail Tours, Medical Examiner’s Awareness, Law Related Education Classes, RID (Removing intoxicated Drivers), and community service, Teen Court provides an immediate, swift, and appropriate consequence for juvenile traffic offenders. New educational programs such as the Medical Examiner’s Awareness program and RID are having a positive impact on juvenile traffic. 

If you have any questions regarding the Teen Court Program or referral process, please contact Xay Xiong, Teen Court Program Specialist II or Thomas Toy, Teen Court Coordinator at 582-7400.

                             Juvenile Arbitration Teen Court
                             501 Building 501 1ST Avenue North
                             St. Petersburg, Florida.  33701
                             (727) 582-7400  FAX (727) 582-7762
Truancy Teen Court
What is Truancy Teen Court?

Truancy Teen Court is a Teen Court Program that provides early intervention through the Teen Court Process for students that have established a pattern of nonattendance and unexcused absences (5-20 days).  Truancy Teen Court operates in the same way as the standard Teen Court and hearings are held using the Grand Jury Format. Truants in the program are required to attend educational programs, counseling if appropriate and mandatory school attendance as prescribed by the Teen Court jury.  Truancy Teen Court targets students in middle school through tenth grade and ages 11 -16.  Students in other grades may be considered if appropriate. 

What are the Benefits for Teen Court Volunteers?

  • Teen Court youth can be role models for truants
  • Can encourage truants to be more involved in school
  • Can help convey that skipping school is wrong
  • Teaches truants that skipping school can lead to even more serious offenses
  • Can be Peer Mentors 

What are the benefits for Truants to be involved in Teen Court?

  • Avoids further action such as a Truancy Petition being filed
  • Improved school attendance
  • Improved grades
  • Can get involved in tutoring and peer counseling programs
  • Offered counseling that may help in dealing with school related problems
  • Responsibility and accomplishment 

Hearings are held Tuesdays, 5-7 P.M. at the Criminal Justice Center, 14250 49TH Street North, 3RD Floor, Clearwater and in St. Petersburg at 545 1ST Avenue North 4th Floor.  For further information contact:

Juvenile Arbitration Teen Court
501 1st Avenue North, Suite 419
St. Petersburg, Florida  33701
(727) 582-7400