Teen Court by Imani

Teen Court by Imani - January 2024 Scholarship Essay

A world without adults is something that every teenager has thought about. But every Tuesday and Thursday from 5-7 is where that thought becomes a reality. In the heart of the courthouse, adult authority yields to the power of youth judgment and compassion. Teen Court, an alternative to the juvenile justice program, is a legal system where teenagers who have committed minor offenses get a chance to be seen by a trial of their peers. This place has redefined my understanding of not only the legal system, but of the remarkable empathy and compassion I witnessed day in and day out.

As I sat in the juror box on my very first day, I had no idea what to expect. The room buzzed with the energy of anticipation as the teenage clerks and lawyers walked into the courtroom. The defendant, not much older than myself, sat nervously across the room. Her mom and her three younger siblings sat in the audience, uncomfortable but together as one unit. I remember thinking they looked strong and reminded me of my family.

The defense laid out her case: a petty shoplifting charge at a pharmacy store. They revealed her dad had walked out a few months ago, leaving her family in great financial struggle. She then told the jury that what she stole were birthday gifts for her younger sister, trying to surprise her with candy and makeup that her mom couldn’t afford. I couldn’t help but think I would do the same for my younger sister, that the only difference between me and her was the roll of a random dice that gave us the life we had. I knew that the girl across from me just needed a second chance.

To my surprise, every single other juror shared the same empathy for this girl and her situation. Sitting in the jury room, reviewing her case details, I learned the importance of compassion when addressing any issue. The guy across from me pointed out she was a straight-A student. The girl to my left reminded the group she had already made an effort to apologize to the store. More and more voices spoke out in defense of the girl's actions, embracing the strongest amount of empathy I have ever witnessed. After thorough deliberation, we reached a unanimous decision. We recommended a restorative approach for the defendant, focusing on counseling to address the challenges she was facing. She would walk away with the resources to help with her family situation and leave on a path to a bright future without the burden of a criminal record.

What was meant to be a one-off day of volunteering completely changed my perspective on the justice system. After having spent too much of my life pouring over true crime TV, I never thought to wonder what happened to the bad guys when the police put them in handcuffs. It doesn’t help anyone to be cruel, and sometimes all anyone needs is a dose of empathy. That day made me realize that I wanted to be a part of a system that not only delivers justice but also recognizes the human side of those who come before it.

I have spent the rest of my high school years going back to that courthouse, astonished again and again at the united work of my fellow volunteers. While the clock of me being a teenager is slowly ticking, the invaluable lessons of empathy and justice I learned at Teen Court will remain etched in my heart, guiding me throughout the entirety of my legal career.