Teen Court
Matt Cason
Juvenile Case Manager
972-304-7084
mcason@coppelltx.gov
The Teen Court Program provides a voluntary alternative to the "sentencing arm," of Municipal Court. Young people under the age of seventeen (and others enrolled in high school) charged with Class C misdemeanor offense entering a plea of guilty or nolo contendere, may request permission of the court to go before a jury of their peers to receive their "sentence." The verdicts rendered in Teen Court include a specific number of community service hours and at least one jury term, in lieu of paying the fine and having the offense go on their record. If the requirements are completed within ninety days the case will be dismissed and no fine will be collected (although payment of $20 administrative fees are required), and the offense does not become a part of the youth’s record. This program provides an educational opportunity through which youths may take responsibility for their own actions while receiving a second chance.
The Coppell Teen Court program meets twice a month in the municipal courtroom, located at 130 Town Center Blvd., Coppell, Texas. Anyone interested in participating in the program as a defendant, teen volunteer, or adult volunteer, should contact Matt Cason, Juvenile Case Manager at 972-304-7084. Email address: mcason@coppelltx.gov.
2013 Teen Court Dates | |
| January 14 | January 28 |
| February 11 | February 25 |
| March 18 | March 25 |
| April 8 | April 22 |
| May 6 | May 20 |
| June 10 | June 24 |
| July 15 | July 29 |
| August 12 | August 26 |
| September 9 | September 23 |
| October 7 | October 21 |
| November 4 | November 18 |
| December 2 | December 16 |
Resources
Dress Code
No one will be allowed into the teen courtroom wearing any of the following items:
T-Shirts, or any shirt with excessive writing, besides a small logo.
Tattered, or grossly over-sized jeans or pants, shorts, mini-skirts, or "skorts".
Sandals or flip-flops, excluding women's open-toed dress shoes.
Half shirts, midriff shirts, or any excessively revealing garment.
Any hat or cap. Head wear will be collected by the bailiff and returned after the court session.
Anyone who does not comply with the dress code will not be allowed into the courtroom, and will not receive credit for appearing at that session.
Volunteers
Any adult or teen interested in the Coppell Teen Court program may volunteer to participate. Teen volunteers must be between 13-18 years old, and must be enrolled in middle school or high school.
Teens may volunteer as an attorney, bailiff, clerk, or juror.
Adult attorneys and judges may volunteer as a teen court judge, other adults may volunteer in a court supervision capacity.
All adult volunteers must undergo a criminal background check.