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Santa Fe County Teen Court is Seeking High School Students for Teen Attorneys

Contact: Teen Court at (505)995-9555

Santa Fe –September 16, 2011 – The Santa Fe County Teen Court Program is seeking high school students in 9th ,10th and 11th grade who are interested in becoming Teen Attorneys for Teen Court. Teen Court will host a training that is mandatory for all students who want to work at Teen Court. During the training students will learn about the Teen Court process and the role of a teen attorney.

The mandatory training is on Wednesday, September 21 from 4:15 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. at District Court, 100 Catron. The training will be lead by attorneys from the Santa Fe community. Students are asked to arrive promptly at 4 p.m., dinner will be provided for students.

"Teen Court is an excellent opportunity for high schools students who are interested in becoming an attorney or have an interested in learning about the court process, it enhances public speaking skills and looks great on college applications, " said Alice Sealey, Teen Court Manager.

Santa Fe County Teen Court is an alternative court where teens are judged and sentenced by a teen jury. Teen attorneys prosecute and defend the cases, however Teen Court does not determine guilt or innocence and is for sentencing only. A teen must accept complete responsibility for his/her offense(s) to be heard in Teen Court. Teen Court is voluntary for teens (ages 12-17) charged with traffic violations, shoplifting less than $250 value, possession of marijuana or alcohol, disorderly conduct, and other misdemeanors cases referred by Municipal Court, Juvenile Probation and Parole, Magistrate Court, Children's Court, or the Santa Fe Public Schools.