Bethlehem Youth Court New Member Training FAQS
261 Elm Avenue
Delmar, NY 12054
518-439-4955 ext. 1143
What are the requirements for becoming a BYC member?
  • Be a resident of the Town of Bethlehem
  • Be in high school (grade 9-12)
  • Attend all training classes  
When and where are training sessions?
Training is scheduled to begin Sept. 29th, 2009 at Bethlehem Town Court.
Please see the schedule under the Training tab to the left.  
What will I learn at training?
How to become a Youth Court:
  • Judge
  • Prosecutor
  • Defense Attorney
  • Juryforeperson
  • Clerk
  • Victim Advocate
Each training session will instruct you on a different aspect of the juvenile
justice system.  You will learn how the juvenile court system functions and
how youth courts operate in this system, what cases are referred to youth
court, how to fulfill each role in a youth court hearing, restorative justice
techniques and what it means in youth court, sentencing options and what
community service can do, and what happens to the offender following their
youth court appearance.  Training instructors will include attorneys, judges,
local officials, police officers, security personnel, law students, and current
members.  In addition there will be supervised practice periods incorporated
into the training sessions.
Training activities include:
  • Pizza parties
  • Ice cream socials
  • Graduation ceremony
What happens after I complete training?
As a Bethlehem Youth Court member, you will be assigned to a team
consisting of six other Youth Court members.  Your team will be assigned
court dates, times, and individual roles for the next few months.  As case
dates are filled you will be contacted by the director regarding your
responsibility and with case information regarding that specific case. You are
then required to perform your role for the hearing. Retraining and social
events occur periodically and you will be requested to attend.  You will also
be asked to assist with fundraising events and large scale community service
projects that occur throughout the year.
How do I get involved?
Contact the Director, Katrina Charland (see contact information below).
I have more questions.
Contact the Director, Katrina Charland at 439-4955 ext. 1143 or email her
at byc261@yahoo.com .
Click here to
download the 2009
training schedule