School based teen courts, "handle cases involving young people referred by schools, parents, law enforcement, and other criminal justice agencies. Schools are increasingly adopting youth courts to use in place of detention and suspension, diverting students who commit school infractions from standard punishment, using positive peer pressure to correct negative behavior, and repairing the harm done through misbehavior, and teaching students about the justice process. Youth courts are typically peer-driven: teens serve as the judge, jury, bailiff, and advocates," (Jensen, 2015). In, "school settings, it is typical for those accused of misbehavior to admit guilt prior to the youth court referral so that the process does not involve a judgment of guilt or innocence. The role of the youth court then becomes determining an appropriate penalty or restitution," (Jensen, 2015).

Citation: School Based Teen Courts, Elise Jensen, 2015, Center for Court Innovation, https://www.courtinnovation.org/sites/default/files/documents/youth%20court%20study_final.pdf

Municipality/Court based teen courts (often referred to as justice based youth courts) often partner with a local school/district and, "handle cases involving young people referred by schools, parents, law enforcement, and other criminal justice agencies," (Jensen, 2015). "Youth courts are typically peer-driven: teens serve as the judge, jury, bailiff, and advocates, though some models include an adult as the judge. Teens sent to justice-based youth courts are often first time misdemeanor offenders. In both juvenile justice and school settings, it is typical for those accused of misbehavior to admit guilt prior to the youth court referral so that the process does not involve a judgment of guilt or innocence. The role of the youth court then becomes determining an appropriate penalty or restitution, " (Jensen, 2015).

Citation: School Based Teen Courts, Elise Jensen, 2015, Center for Court Innovation, https://www.courtinnovation.org/sites/default/files/documents/youth%20court%20study_final.pdf

"Teen courts can be developed to (1) hold youth accountable by offering opportunities to make amends for the damage caused through community service and/or restitution; and (2) teach youth about the effect their actions have on themselves, victims, and the community."

Citation: Peer Justice and Youth Empowerment: An Implementation Guide for Teen Court Programs, David Steinhart, 1996, https://www.courtinnovation.org/sites/default/files/documents/youth%20court%20study_final.pdf