Williamson County is making legal waves with its brand new Teen Court, launched by the Justice of the Peace Office in Precinct 4. Aimed at high schoolers eager to learn the ropes of the legal system, this program is the first of its kind in the area. From attorneys to judges and jurors, students will have the chance to play various roles within the judicial process, dealing out consequences for minor offenses by their peers.
The wheels for this initiative were set in motion by Justice of the Peace Rhonda Redden, who expressed excitement about the program's launch, saying, "I'm beyond thrilled at finally getting a Teen Court started in Precinct Four." According to a statement released by the Williamson County website, the success of the kick-off owes much to volunteers, including legal professionals from the County Attorney’s Office and deputies from the Sheriff's Office.
Teen Court sessions are scheduled monthly on Monday evenings, excluding November, and they convene in the Precinct 4 courtroom located at 211 W. 6th St. in Taylor. The community is invited to participate, with adults volunteering as sponsors and students from 8th to 12th grade eligible to apply. Aspiring participants must submit an application and undergo an interview process before potentially joining the waitlist —not for a specific courtroom role, but for participation in general.
Interested individuals seeking further details about what it takes to become a part of Teen Court can dive into the program's web page or get in touch with Stephanie Teinert or Carrie Beran at 512-352-4103 and 512-352-4169, respectively, or through an email to [email protected]. It's a hands-on opportunity to not only learn but to actively contribute to a system that so critically shapes our discourse and civic life.
