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Tell Me About Bethlehem Youth Court
| 261 Elm Avenue Delmar, NY 12054 518-439-4955 ext. 1143 |
Bethlehem Youth Court is an alternative sentencing program, created in
1995, available for first time offenders between the ages of 8 and 19 who
have committed a low level crime or offense. The young person's case is
referred to the Youth Court either by Bethlehem Town Court or Albany
County Probation. The arresting officer, judge, probation officer, and the
Youth Court Director review the case to ensure that it is a viable Youth
Court case prior to the youth's acceptance into the program. An intake
meeting is then held at which the youth and their family can discuss any
questions or concerns they may have about the program and a hearing date is
assigned. As Youth Court is voluntary, the young person and family may opt
out of Youth Court participation. If this occurs the case is referred back to
the originating agency.
After acceptance into the program, the young person's case is turned over to
a team of Youth Court members who are responsible for presenting the case
before a peer jury. The Youth Court members are high school aged youth
who have participated in an intensive training program that has provided
them with the skills necessary to prepare and present criminal cases in the
Youth Court setting.
On the evening of the Youth Court hearing, the volunteer peer jury listens to
testimony and evidence presented by the Youth Court members. It is the
jury's responsibility to deliberate and arrive at an appropriate and meaningful
sentence for the offender. Community service and at least one jury duty are
mandatory in all Youth Court cases. The peer jury will decide exactly how
many hours of community service the offender must complete, as well as any
additional sentence requirements, such as apology letters, attendance at
educational classes, or restitution.
The offender is then obligated to completed the jury's requirements.
Community service projects and classes are coordinated through the Youth
Court, but the young person is also encouraged to pursue their interests and
participate in community service projects that are outside of the Youth
Court's involvement. Once all community service hours and additional
sentence obligations are completed and verified, the youth is scheduled to
serve as a juror on a Youth Court case. Typically, this is the offender's final
obligation to the Youth Court. Once jury duty is completed, the referring
agency, either criminal court or probation, are notified and the youth's case is
closed and sealed. The young person then has no record, no convictions, no
criminal history. They now have a "second" chance.
This service is provided to youth free of charge regardless of race, creed, color, sex, disability,
national origin or religion.
1995, available for first time offenders between the ages of 8 and 19 who
have committed a low level crime or offense. The young person's case is
referred to the Youth Court either by Bethlehem Town Court or Albany
County Probation. The arresting officer, judge, probation officer, and the
Youth Court Director review the case to ensure that it is a viable Youth
Court case prior to the youth's acceptance into the program. An intake
meeting is then held at which the youth and their family can discuss any
questions or concerns they may have about the program and a hearing date is
assigned. As Youth Court is voluntary, the young person and family may opt
out of Youth Court participation. If this occurs the case is referred back to
the originating agency.
After acceptance into the program, the young person's case is turned over to
a team of Youth Court members who are responsible for presenting the case
before a peer jury. The Youth Court members are high school aged youth
who have participated in an intensive training program that has provided
them with the skills necessary to prepare and present criminal cases in the
Youth Court setting.
On the evening of the Youth Court hearing, the volunteer peer jury listens to
testimony and evidence presented by the Youth Court members. It is the
jury's responsibility to deliberate and arrive at an appropriate and meaningful
sentence for the offender. Community service and at least one jury duty are
mandatory in all Youth Court cases. The peer jury will decide exactly how
many hours of community service the offender must complete, as well as any
additional sentence requirements, such as apology letters, attendance at
educational classes, or restitution.
The offender is then obligated to completed the jury's requirements.
Community service projects and classes are coordinated through the Youth
Court, but the young person is also encouraged to pursue their interests and
participate in community service projects that are outside of the Youth
Court's involvement. Once all community service hours and additional
sentence obligations are completed and verified, the youth is scheduled to
serve as a juror on a Youth Court case. Typically, this is the offender's final
obligation to the Youth Court. Once jury duty is completed, the referring
agency, either criminal court or probation, are notified and the youth's case is
closed and sealed. The young person then has no record, no convictions, no
criminal history. They now have a "second" chance.
This service is provided to youth free of charge regardless of race, creed, color, sex, disability,
national origin or religion.
