Williamson County's youth legal education system took a moment to applaud the efforts of its young volunteers this May. The JP3 Teen Court program, a peer-based judicial alternative, wrapped up its 2024–2025 session with a ceremony recognizing the contributions of 34 student volunteers. These individuals took on the mantle of justice, serving their peers with a different kind of law and order—one that speaks in the vernacular of youth, not the gavel's echo.
The program, as noted in a recent Williamson County announcement, adjudicated 44 cases over the past year, a testament to student engagement and civic responsibility. Two graduates, Bailey Zhang and Gargi Singh, were spotlighted for their exemplary service. It's a recognition that extends beyond applause; both received scholarships, with Zhang bound for Stanford University and Singh heading to Cornell come fall.
As one cycle closes, another begins. The JP3 Teen Court's new session commenced with an orientation on August 19, inducting 24 fresh teen attorneys into its ranks. Not simply a gesture of welcome, but a passing of the torch, as these new faces prepare to offer judgment tempered with adolescent empathy.
Teen Court Coordinator Emily Tillery is actively seeking volunteers to keep the spirit of the program robust. Community members, including those interested in contributing as adult jury facilitators, are encouraged to "contact Teen Court Coordinator Emily Tillery at 512-943-1504," the court's website states. For teens aged 13 to 18 inclined to wrestle with the scales of justice, applications are accepted year-round—just secure your parents' nod before you dive in.
