MILWAUKEE TEEN TRIBUNAL:

The ACLU of Wisconsin Foundation, in cooperation with Milwaukee Public Schools, Milwaukee Police Department and the Municipal Court of Milwaukee, coordinates the city's first restorative justice teen court program.

The Urban Underground is an additional contributor, providing the training and coordination of “mentors”.

Mission:
To (1) Contribute to a reduction in recidivism of juvenile offenders in the school environment; (2) Provide hands-on, law-related education including due process rights of young residents as well as leadership and life skills; and (3) contribute to a noticeable, positive change in a school’s social climate*.

* Pre and post program surveys are used.

Need:
Public schools in the State of Wisconsin succeed in graduating more than 4/5 of their white male students, but fewer than 1/3 of their black male students. In Milwaukee Public Schools, where most black male students attend school, more than 3/4 do not graduate with their cohort (classmates).

In Milwaukee, (non-Hispanic) black students account for 61 percent of public school enrollments in 2000-2001 and (non-Hispanic) white students accounted for 19 percent.

YET, black students received 75 percent of out of school suspensions and white students received 11 percent.

Response:
The ACLU of Wisconsin Foundation, as part of its extensive outreach to and advocacy of youth, believed that unprecedented cooperation by schools and law enforcement agencies in Milwaukee was the answer. It found that the more than 1,000 teen courts nationwide have proven to be effective in their individualized approach to juvenile offenses and developed the Milwaukee Teen Tribunal.

Model:
Tribunal means three. There are three panel judges, one clerk and one bailiff for each "hearing". Testimony is sworn and is regarded the same as it is in a court of law.

Age of participants:
Grades 6-8

Qualifying Offenses for the Milwaukee Teen Tribunal:
First-time truancy, loitering, vandalism, theft (up to $100 value), and non-battery disorderly conduct. All qualifying offenses are non-expellable.

Requirement of participation:
Plea of "guilty" and Agreement to carry out the contract of the Tribunal (including mandatory re-participation as a judge, attorney, clerk or bailiff).

Referral process:

  1. Intake; referral from MPS and/or MPD; parental contact.
  2. Acceptance by Tribunal Coordinator.
  3. Referral meeting with respondent (student who committed the offense) and parent/guardian; agreement to participate.
  4. Milwaukee Teen Tribunal appearance; adjudication.
  5. Contract (sentence); successful fulfillment* OR referral back to school and/or police department and eventually municipal court.

*All respondents are paired with a mentor, who offers guidance and support as they fulfill their contract.

Benefits:
To respondents

  1. No legally recognized court record and/or suspension record;
  2. Positive influence by peers; and
  3. Law-related educational experience, including meeting law enforcement officers and judges.
To school and larger community
  1. Decrease in juvenile offenses; and
  2. Reduction in court congestion.

Related Articles:
June 2005: >> Milwaukee Education Center (MEC) Newsletter
October 4, 2004 >> ACLU of Wisconsin Foundation Launches Teen Court Program in the City of Milwaukee
JS Online Article,Oct. 19, 2002 >> Students Judge Peers In Teen Court
JS Online Article, April 13, 2002 >> MPS Criticized Over Suspension Policy