Provides an immediate response to mostly first time offenses that may be warning signs of future serious or violent delinquency. This early intervention also offers the defendant a second chance to make amends for his/her offense before being entered into the family/criminal court system, acquiring a record, paying Court fees, and being given the “juvenile delinquent”Positive peer pressure plays a major role in our Court hearings, as juvenile defendants must explain their conduct to Allegany County students who serve as Judge, Bailiff, Defense, Prosecution, Jury Foreperson, and Jury. These student Youth Court members know the circumstances of life in Allegany County and provide thoughtful and appropriate sentences in each individual case.

Provides a proactive response to increasing juvenile crime, an alternative to the criminal justice system for young people who have committed a crime or an offense. The goal of Youth Court is to intervene in early anti-social, delinquent, and criminal behavior, and to reduce the incidence and prevent the escalation of such behavior. Youth Court is a diversion program that gives first-time offenders a chance to avoid entering the criminal justice system or Family Court. It holds these youthful offenders accountable for their actions as they are judged by their peers. It also gives members an opportunity to work in the criminal justice system firsthand, prosecuting, defending, and judging the actions of their peers.

Provides a proactive response to increasing juvenile crime, an alternative to the criminal justice system for young people who have committed a crime or an offense. The goal of Youth Court is to intervene in early anti-social, delinquent, and criminal behavior, and to reduce the incidence and prevent the escalation of such behavior. Youth Court is a diversion program that gives first-time offenders a chance to avoid entering the criminal justice system or Family Court. It holds these youthful offenders accountable for their actions as they are judged by their peers. It also gives members an opportunity to work in the criminal justice system firsthand, prosecuting, defending, and judging the actions of their peers.

Provides an immediate response to mostly first time offenses that may be warning signs of future serious or violent delinquency. This early intervention also offers the defendant a second chance to make amends for his/her offense before being entered into the family/criminal court system, acquiring a record, paying Court fees, and being given the “juvenile delinquent”Positive peer pressure plays a major role in our Court hearings, as juvenile defendants must explain their conduct to Allegany County students who serve as Judge, Bailiff, Defense, Prosecution, Jury Foreperson, and Jury. These student Youth Court members know the circumstances of life in Allegany County and provide thoughtful and appropriate sentences in each individual case.