About Us

Mission Statement

Metro Teen Court is to help juvenile offenders restore their relationship with the community through accountability and personnel development. Metro Teen Court is an alternative court where teens are judged and sentenced by a teen jury panel.

About Us

METRO TEEN COURT is a nationally recognized early intervention and restorative justice program for juveniles (ages 12-18). It is a diversionary court that keeps first time teen offenders with traffic infractions and misdemeanor offenses out of the traditional court system. The teen accepts responsibility for their offense, appears before a judge, and their peers, and is sentenced. The teen faces consequences that help them to learn from their mistakes and make amends for their actions. The sanctions are determined by the Teen Court jury, and usually include community service and jury duty at future Teen Court hearings. Other possible sanctions can include, being required to write an essay, letters of apology, educational programs, gender-specific programs, and substance abuse prevention workshops.

How Does It Work?

After a traffic citation, arrest, or adminstrative referral, cases can be referred to MTC by the courts Juvenile Probation Office or Schools. Hearings for MTC take place every Thursday night at the Bernalillo County Children’s Court. MTC is comprised of an adult guest judge, and a jury comprised of approximately seven teen volunteers and/or former MTC respondenents. Hearings are held in the Bernalillo County Children’s Court, 5100 Second Street NW, Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Referrals to MTC can come from Municipal Courts, Magistrate Courts, the Juvenile Probation and Parole Office, and Charter and Public Schools.