Once your intake is complete, and you are deemed eligible, you will receive a hearing date and time for your Youth Court appearance usually within 2-4 weeks of your intake. You must appear at your hearing on time with your parent and speak with your peer defense team. They will review the facts of the incident with you and assist you on proper courtroom procedures. You will have an opportunity to review the jury list as well as the prosecution team names to ensure an impartial proceeding. You will be required to testify on your own behalf. Victims or witnesses may choose to offer verbal or written statements regarding the incident.
South Coast Youth Court is a voluntary juvenile diversion program offering juvenile respondents the opportunity to accept responsibility for their actions and to resolve criminal charges through adjudication by their peers. The South Coast Youth Court also serves to educate young people to develop understanding and respect for the justice system.
South Coast Youth Court respondents have completed over 97,000 hours of Community services in their respective cities and surrounding towns.
They have had the opportunity to work with a host of different agencies to complete a variety of projects.
If interested in being a site for community service please contact Terri for either New Bedford or Fall River at tswanbell77@gmail.com
or contact Elisa Lopes for New Bedford elisascyc@gmail.com
Serving the community is a vital part of all of our youth success!
In this section you can find hearing night times and contact information. For directions, please refer to the Directions page!
Please contact Terri, tswanbell77@gmail.com
These are the steps that each youth offender will have to take to be considered a successful completion.
Offense
Youth offends/commits crime.
Intake
Youth Court intake scheduled.
Hearing Night
Youth court hearing night takes place, and the youth offender receives sanctions.
Successful Completion
Youth offender works to complete sanctions & YC respondent is considered successful.
