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 committed a crime or broken a school rule. Maine Youth Court gets most of their referrals from the Greater Portland Area to Bath/Brunswick Area.
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 crime is court related, the Youth 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 hearing, each respondent has three months to complete their specific disposition. If a respondent completes ahead of time, he/she can communicate this to the Maine Youth Court staff and reschedule a closing meeting for their check-in. If respondents are connected to Day One, or other counselors, we require them to continue that counseling for the entire three months.
What does a respondent need to do?
Each disposition is specifically tailored to meet the needs of those harmed by the incident and the respondent. Consequently, each disposition is specific for the individual respondent and the distinct incident. Each disposition is based on the following four restorative goals:
1) Repair the harm done
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
Moreover, a common disposition consists of community service hours, verbal or written forms of acknowledgement, and mandated 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 committed a crime or broken a school rule. Maine Youth Court gets most of their referrals from the Greater Portland Area to Bath/Brunswick Area.
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 crime is court related, the Youth 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 hearing, each respondent has three months to complete their specific disposition. If a respondent completes ahead of time, he/she can communicate this to the Maine Youth Court staff and reschedule a closing meeting for their check-in. If respondents are connected to Day One, or other counselors, we require them to continue that counseling for the entire three months.
What does a respondent need to do?
Each disposition is specifically tailored to meet the needs of those harmed by the incident and the respondent. Consequently, each disposition is specific for the individual respondent and the distinct incident. Each disposition is based on the following four restorative goals:
1) Repair the harm done
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
Moreover, a common disposition consists of community service hours, verbal or written forms of acknowledgement, and mandated 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.