But, it does have power to impose community service, or send a troubled teen to visit prison to see what life is like behind bars. Marlene Wilklow is a Youth Court Advisor. She weighs the seriousness of the going-ons at the court. For many of them it is really a wake up call that this is real and that they better shape up and do things right. Thank you, court is adjourned.
Teenagers go before youth court for a variety of offenses like stealing, burglary and fighting.
If they get in trouble again, then they go to family or criminal court, and then, they get a record. Youth Court also operates in Broome and Otsego counties, and other places across the state and the country.