Manatee County Clerk’s Teen Court Hearings Being Conducted Virtually

The Manatee County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller’s Office has a new video to help explain how Teen Court is now operating.  Due to Covid and in an effort to keep everyone safe and healthy, all Teen Court hearings are being done virtually instead of in-person.  The new video, explains how the new hearings are being conducted virtually, via Zoom, and how to apply to become a volunteer.

We are currently accepting applications from anyone interested in volunteering.  Teen Court is in need of both teenage and adult volunteers.  Interested teens, ages 12 – 17, can serve as prosecution and defense attorneys, clerks, bailiffs, and jury members.  Participants will become familiar with the mechanics of the court system.  Teen Court also awards community service credit hours to school-age volunteers for their participation in the year round program.

Manatee County’s Teen Court and Teen Court Too, diversionary programs are designed to stop youthful delinquent behavior before a pattern is established. The program allows first-time juvenile offenders, ages 10 – 17, a second chance while holding them accountable for their actions. Cases are heard before a jury of their peers and sanctions are assigned for the defendant to complete.

To see how Teen Court is now operating virtually and to learn how to become a volunteer, please watch the video at:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7BRflO06TqY&feature=share

Volunteers will also need to fill out a form, located on our website at:  https://www.manateeclerk.com/media/2148/teen-court-volunteer-form.pdf  You will then need to mail it or drop it off to: Teen Court, The Manatee Clerk’s Office, 1115 Manatee Avenue West, Bradenton, Florida 34205. 

If you have any questions or would like to learn more about the program, you can contact the program’s coordinator below:
Vicky Alvarez
Vicky.Alvarez@manateeclerk.com
941-741-4027