Teen Court helps juveniles avoid a criminal record while reducing traditional court costs for taxpayers.
ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla., August 20, 2026 — One year after relaunching Teen Court hearings in St. Johns County, the St. Johns County Clerk of the Circuit Court and County Comptroller’s Office is celebrating the program’s impact on local youth and the community.
“Teen Court gives students an opportunity to take responsibility for their actions, learn from their mistakes and move forward while giving back to the community,” said Clerk of the Circuit Court and County Comptroller Brandon J. Patty. “In its first year since relaunching, the program has helped local youth avoid a criminal record while reducing traditional court costs for taxpayers. These results demonstrate what can happen when our justice system, law enforcement, schools, and volunteers work together.”
Since the first Teen Court hearing following the program’s relaunch on August 20, 2025, Teen Court has handled 180 cases and students have completed more than 4,300 hours of community service throughout St. Johns County.
The program also provides local students with an opportunity to volunteer and learn about the justice system firsthand. During the past year, 172 youth volunteers have participated in Teen Court, alongside 10 volunteer attorneys and 10 adult volunteers.
The Clerk’s Office operates Teen Court in accordance with St. Johns County Ordinance 2005-86. Unlike a traditional trial, the teen jury does not determine guilt or innocence. Instead, youth volunteers hear the case and determine appropriate sanctions. Juveniles who successfully complete them can move forward without a criminal record resulting from the offense.
Teen Court’s success also relies on partnerships, with referrals coming from the Juvenile Civil Citation program at the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office and the State Attorney’s Office, while local schools help connect students with opportunities to volunteer in the program.
