Cases are referred to Teen Court by various agencies and may involve misdemeanors, trespassing, shoplifting, loitering, etc. Participation in the program is strictly voluntary. Youngsters must admit their guilt and parents are required to take part in the process from the beginning. Violators are allowed only one opportunity to participate in Teen Court. The base sentence calls for each defendant to serve community service hours, and to serve on a jury for another teen offender.
Additional sanctions range from curfews or house arrest to letters of apology or written essays.
Juries are composed of volunteer teenagers. Teen volunteers also assume the roles of defense and prosecuting attorneys, bailiffs, and court clerks. The judges are volunteer attorneys who must be members of the Hernando County Bar Association. Strict confidentiality is essential among all participants. If the sentence is not satisfactorily completed, however, the case will be referred to the state attorney's office, and generally a formal juvenile court action will continue through the judicial system.