What is Youth/Peer Court?
Youth court, also known as peer court or teen court, is an alternative to the traditional juvenile justice system for young, nonviolent, first-time offenders. While youth court is under the supervision of a judge, it is youth-focused and youth-driven. The juvenile offender is given the option to waive any court hearings and to voluntarily participate in youth court in place of more formal handling of their case by a traditional juvenile court. In most youth courts, the youth must admit wrongdoing or plead guilty or no contest to be eligible. This video provides an overview of youth court.
Who is Eligible?
Generally, youth court is for young people under the age of 18 who have been charged with misdemeanor or minor felony violations such as shoplifting, vandalism, truancy, disorderly conduct, or other offenses that would normally send them to juvenile or traffic court, or for school disciplinary action.
How Does it Work?
Most youth court defendants go through an intake process, a preliminary review of charges, a court hearing, and sentencing, just as they would in a regular juvenile court. The difference is that other youth are responsible for much of this process. A case heard in youth court is typically presided over by youth and heard by a jury of youth who deliberates and creates a constructive sentence that combines accountability with resources. As part of the youth court process, the offenders also receive training to make them eligible to serve in various youth court roles in the future, such as judge, bailiff, community advocate, defense attorney, prosecuting attorney, or juror. Such participation is often mandatory as a condition of participation.
The youth court model provides youth the opportunity to acquire practical experience in the juvenile justice system. Youth gain a better understanding of their rights, justice, and the law, and are empowered to make better decisions in their daily lives. Youth courts may be run by courts, juvenile probation departments, law enforcement agencies, nonprofit organizations, or schools.
How do I get referred to youth court?
Not all counties have a youth court, and youth courts operate using various models, so the process of being referred to a youth court may differ slightly from court to court. However, the most common steps in the youth court process are:
- Youth are referred by their school, juvenile probation, or law enforcement;
- The youth and their parent or guardian meet with a youth court representative to register and sign an agreement and then receive detailed information about what to expect;
- The youth court volunteer contacts the youth to discuss their case;
- The youth attends youth court at the scheduled time to have their case heard;
- After the case is heard, the youth is given a sentence by a jury of their peers;
- The youth has a limited amount of time from the day of their trial to complete their sanctions;
- After the youth completes their sentence and their fees are paid in full, their case is closed and will not become a criminal record. If they do not complete their sentence, the case is given back to probation.
To see if your location has reported having a youth court, check the interactive California Youth Courts Map.
Youth Court Summit
The annual Youth Court Summit is produced by a collaboration among the California Association of Youth Courts, Inc. (CAYC) and the Judicial Council of California and its Collaborative Justice Courts Advisory Committee. It is the primary training event for youth courts across the state. The Youth Court Summit brings together youth and peer court staff, juvenile bench officers, education experts, judges, and staff of youth-focused organizations who share ideas and best practices about youth courts. A distinguishing feature of the summit is the opportunity for the youth to lead their own discussions and attend youth-only workshops. The summit is held on a university campus every June and typically alternates between northern and southern California.
In 2025, the Youth Court Summit celebrated its 20th anniversary with a “Roaring 20s” theme. It was held at University of California, Riverside. The 2026 Youth Court Summit will be held at a university in the Bay Area. Sign up on the CAYC email list to be notified about the next summit.
Youth Court Resources
Youth Court Toolkit and Planning Guide (2020): This toolkit and guide helps existing youth courts document, standardize, and maintain the high quality of their programs and helps others interested in starting a successful youth court program.
Creating a Native Youth Peer Court: Restorative Justice in Action (2023): Focused on training native youth in tribal law and restorative justice practices, the Intertribal Court of Southern California Tribal Youth Court (TYC) aims to create positive change in communities. Learn how the court came to be, how it functions, and how it is transforming the lives of all involved.
Building Justice: Our Class Designed a School Justice System in Two Months (2023): The founding members of their high school’s youth court describe how they designed, advocated for, and set up the youth court as an alternative to their high school's traditional approach to discipline.
Teen Court Empowers Students, Avoids Formal Court Hearings (2022): By bringing a courtroom atmosphere into the classroom, kids are learning from hearing real-life diversion cases involving youth in Maricopa County, AZ.
YMCA Youth Court Finding Justice: Ending the School to Prison Pipeline (2017): Brief documentary about youth courts and one individual’s experience.
California Association of Youth Courts participants share their experience in youth court (2021): Hear from six youth court participants about their experiences.
Justice For Youth By Youth podcast on youth courts: Hear from Joaquin Lang, a student who successfully completed youth court and became an advocate for this restorative justice program. Also on the podcast you will hear from three members of the CAYC: Judge J. Richard Couzens; Debra Postil, a Senior Deputy District Attorney; and Don Carney, Director of the Marin Youth Court, on the success of the youth court program.