ABBEVILLE, La. ( KLFY ) — Teen court is a peer justice and juvenile diversion program . Juvenile offenders of non-violent crimes may be referred to the program where a court of their peers will determine their sentence. If the juvenile offender completes their sentence, they will have the charge(s) removed from their record.
The goal is to decrease the amount of repeat juvenile offenders by offering an alternative court setting where they may feel more comfortable speaking and receiving direction and implementing effective programming that encourages change in the offenders. Teen court also seeks to provide judicial experience and scholarships to all participants.
Tyra McWhorter, the executive director who runs the teen court in Abbeville spoke on the program…