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boC� 98 F;,�.779 <br />St. Lucie County Judge Dan Vaughn felt that one good thing <br />about the program is that it won't cost taxpayers anything. Those <br />persons stopped for traffic violations or misdemeanor offenses will <br />be charged the additional $3.00 fee. Judge Vaughn briefly <br />explained that Teen Court consists of mock trials held by students. <br />Only those juveniles charged with a first time non-violent <br />misdemeanor will be brought into Teen Court before their peers. <br />These juveniles are referred by law enforcement officers and <br />everyone involved must approve the program. The juvenile must also <br />admit his or her guilt. The facts are then presented to other <br />teenagers who decide the penalty. Penalties usually consist of <br />hours of community service, letters of apology, restitution, etc. <br />Commissioner Eggert questioned whether the program could be <br />implemented with a October 1st start-up date and wanted to be <br />certain that funds collected in Indian River County will be used in <br />Indian River County and not pooled with other counties. <br />Mark Godwin, St. Lucie County deputy court administrator, <br />responded that the funds will be directed for Indian River County <br />Teen Court. The plan is to hire an individual to act as liaison <br />between the school system and the law system. Mr. Godwin believes <br />that this is a worthwhile program which helps families as well as <br />the juvenile delinquents by holding them accountable for their <br />actions before a jury of their peers. The program will also assist <br />those children wanting a career in law enforcement. The juveniles <br />who complete the program will not have a record because they went <br />through this diversionary program. <br />Commissioner Bird wanted to know what the total budget would <br />be and how the money would be spent. <br />Mark Godwin explained that the funds will be used for salary <br />plus benefits for an individual to coordinate the program, plus <br />office supplies, etc. <br />Commissioner Bird felt this is probably a worthwhile program <br />but he had some reservations about funding. He could not see a <br />direct correlation between an adult getting a ticket and this <br />program. <br />Mr. Godwin said that the Legislature could see the benefits of <br />this program and believed it would be a benefit to the community, <br />especially by attaching the $3 to speeding tickets as opposed to <br />asking for funding from the County. <br />Commissioner Eggert wanted to know where the funds would come <br />from to fund the first few months of the program while the $3 fees <br />are being collected and whether the teens are required to pay <br />anything. <br />AUGUST 13, 1996 36 <br />