Once trained, they receive juvenile cases referred by police and probation. The offenses that are referred are usually misdemeanors, although they will take vehicle and traffic violations and some felonies that are approved through probation. In order for a case to be heard by Youth Court, the juvenile must plead guilty. If they assert innocence, the case must be referred to Family Court. Once a case has been heard by Youth Court, arguments are made by the prosecution and defense a to sentencing.
Community service is the most often used sanction.
It usually includes a specified number of hours of mandatory service, plus a certain number of hours of suspended community service. If the youth re-offends, they are required to perform the previously suspended sentence. The Youth Court program in Oswego has been one of the longest running Youth Courts in the state. Youth Court is supervised and operated through the Oswego City-County Youth Bureau. Advisors Dawn Metott and Kathleen Knopp oversee the program.