Prominent Sarasota businessman and philanthropist Hugh Culverhouse Jr., a former practicing attorney, has donated $25,000 to Teen Court of Sarasota, a nonprofit youth diversion program that gives juvenile offenders an opportunity to avoid the long-term consequences of a criminal record.
During the past six years, Teen Court has served more than 3,900 local youth, with participation increasing by more than 110% since 2020. In 2024, 829 teens went through the program, diverting them from traditional prosecution while saving Sarasota County an estimated $4.2 million in juvenile justice costs.
“Teen Court offers not just a second chance, but an opportunity for these young people to grow, reflect and build a better future without the lifelong burden of a criminal record,” said Culverhouse, who early in his career served as a federal prosecutor in the Southern District of Florida, in a news release…