For Immediate Release

April 28, 2015

Prosecutor Smith Congratulates Teen Court Members from Chippewa Valley High School & Dakota High School

MOUNT CLEMENS, MI — Prosecutor Eric Smith is proud to congratulate the members of the Chippewa Valley High School and Dakota High School 2015 Teen Court. Students were recognized earlier today at the 41-B District Court.

Teen Court is a diversion program originated by Macomb County Prosecutor Eric Smith.

Teen Court is an actual legal courtroom procedure, conducted today before Macomb County District Court Judge Carrie Fuca, using students as prosecutors, defense attorneys, and members of a jury. The students prosecute and defend actual misdemeanor and civil infraction cases, calling parents, students and police officers as witnesses.

Students participate as they would in any other club, meeting after school with attorneys from the Prosecutor’s office. They receive training on how to be a prosecutor, defense attorney, or member of the jury.

The students are charged with determining the defendant’s sentencing – it is truly a jury of peers. Punishments typically range from having to write a letter of apology to obeying a set curfew. In return for their voluntary cooperation, defendants have their case record sealed following the successful completion of all sentence requirements.