Granville County Teen Court is a sentencing/diversion option administered by NC Cooperative Extension for youth ages ten to seventeen year-old's currently enrolled in school in Granville County who admit responsibility for a misdemeanor offense. Instead of the youth being charged and appearing in court, he or she is “diverted” to the Granville County Teen Court. The courtroom is overseen by an adult judge, but all the lawyers, bailiffs, jury members, and defendants are youths. Granville County Teen Court offers youth an opportunity for constructive sentencing by their peers. The jury hears evidence and arguments as presented by the lawyers on each side and then chooses from a menu of sanctions designed to teach consequences and responsibility that can redirect youth from committing another crime.
