Manatee County Clerk’s Teen Court Resumes Hearings Virtually

November 9, 2020 – Bradenton

The Manatee County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller’s Office is happy to announce that Teen Court hearings are resuming this month. Due to Covid, the hearings at the Manatee County Judicial Center were paused for the past few months. Until further notice, the new hearings will be conducted virtually, via Zoom, and not held in person. The first virtual hearing will take place on Tuesday, November 17th at 5:15pm.

For the remainder of the year, only current and former Teen Court volunteers will be able to participate in the program. Volunteers will conveniently join the court sessions from home. Teen Court dates are scheduled for November 17th, December 1st, 8th and the 15th. All will be held at 5:15pm.

We are currently accepting applications from anyone interested in volunteering starting in January 2021. 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 become a volunteer, please fill out the form available 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.