Frequently Asked Questions:
Who can be referred to Youth Court?
Youth Court may be available to any 12-18 year-old youth from Cumberland County and Sagadahoc County who has gotten in trouble with the law or their school. Maine Youth Court gets most of their referrals from Greater Portland, Bath/Brunswick, and Lewiston/Auburn areas.
What happens if a respondent fails to complete Youth Court?
If a respondent fails to complete Youth Court, this failure is communicated back to the referral source (school administrator, JCCO, courthouse, etc). If the charge is court related, the young person will attend court and the failure will be noted. We strongly believe that it is in each youth's best interest to complete Youth Court, even if additional charges have been supplemented.
How long does the Youth Court process take?
The Youth Court process can start as soon as an intake has been scheduled. Following the restorative process, each respondent has three months to complete their specific Repair Agreement. If a respondent completes ahead of time, they can communicate this to the Maine Youth Court staff and reschedule their completion meeting. If respondents are connected to Day One or other clinicial services, we require them to continue that counseling for the entire three months.
What does a respondent need to do?
Each Repair Agreement is specifically tailored to meet the needs of those harmed by the incident and the respondent. Consequently, each Repair Agreement is specific for the individual respondent and the distinct incident. The Agreement is based on the following four restorative goals:
1) Repair the harm
2) Increase the respondent’s skills, knowledge, and resources
3) Increase the respondent’s connection in the community
4) Build on and build up the strengths of the respondent
A common Repair Agreement consists of community service hours, verbal or written forms of acknowledgement, pro-social activities, and connection with the victim.
Can a former respondent become a Youth Court Volunteer?
Yes, former respondents can become Youth Court volunteers if they are in the geographical jurisdiction of Youth Court, are in high school and have completed the Youth Court process. Youth Court believes that former respondents are often more experienced and qualified to serve. We currently have several volunteers that serve with this additional insight and resilience.
Who can be referred to Youth Court?
Youth Court may be available to any 12-18 year-old youth from Cumberland County and Sagadahoc County who has gotten in trouble with the law or their school. Maine Youth Court gets most of their referrals from Greater Portland, Bath/Brunswick, and Lewiston/Auburn areas.
What happens if a respondent fails to complete Youth Court?
If a respondent fails to complete Youth Court, this failure is communicated back to the referral source (school administrator, JCCO, courthouse, etc). If the charge is court related, the young person will attend court and the failure will be noted. We strongly believe that it is in each youth's best interest to complete Youth Court, even if additional charges have been supplemented.
How long does the Youth Court process take?
The Youth Court process can start as soon as an intake has been scheduled. Following the restorative process, each respondent has three months to complete their specific Repair Agreement. If a respondent completes ahead of time, they can communicate this to the Maine Youth Court staff and reschedule their completion meeting. If respondents are connected to Day One or other clinicial services, we require them to continue that counseling for the entire three months.
What does a respondent need to do?
Each Repair Agreement is specifically tailored to meet the needs of those harmed by the incident and the respondent. Consequently, each Repair Agreement is specific for the individual respondent and the distinct incident. The Agreement is based on the following four restorative goals:
1) Repair the harm
2) Increase the respondent’s skills, knowledge, and resources
3) Increase the respondent’s connection in the community
4) Build on and build up the strengths of the respondent
A common Repair Agreement consists of community service hours, verbal or written forms of acknowledgement, pro-social activities, and connection with the victim.
Can a former respondent become a Youth Court Volunteer?
Yes, former respondents can become Youth Court volunteers if they are in the geographical jurisdiction of Youth Court, are in high school and have completed the Youth Court process. Youth Court believes that former respondents are often more experienced and qualified to serve. We currently have several volunteers that serve with this additional insight and resilience.