Teen Court
The Hurst - Euless - Bedford (HEB) Teen Court is a diversion program which allows juveniles (Class C misdemeanor offenders) an alternative to the criminal justice system. Upon successful completion of the program, offenders' cases are dismissed and not appear as a conviction on their record. HEB Teen Court is provided by the cities of Hurst, Euless, and Bedford.
How Teen Court Works
- Each Teen Court session will be held at the Bedford Municipal Court, 2000 Forest Ridge Drive. Court meets on Monday evenings. Dates vary and are posted on the website.
- Defendants will check in at the specific time given during enrollment. Defendants who are 16 years old or younger must be accompanied by a parent. The courtroom is a formal setting. It is required that all defendants and their parent dress accordingly. The dress code is strictly enforced. It is posted on the website and on the paperwork received at enrollment.
- Defendants who are serving jury duty must appear by 5:15 p.m. to sign in and be assigned to a jury. MUST call ahead to sign up. NO WALK INS ALLOWED. Jurors must be in dress code.
- After a defendants' case is heard, the jury deliberates and assigns a community service sentence according to the discipline grid. Defendants must also serve 1 jury term.
- The defendant is responsible for finishing his/her community service hours, jury term and any required classes by the completion date (90 days from Teen Court hearing date). Documentation must be turned into the Teen Court staff prior to or on the completion date in order to be valid. If all requirements are not met by the completion date, the case is terminated and returned to the Municipal Court of jurisdiction. The completion of the Teen Court sentence results in dismissal of the case; so it is not a conviction on the teen's record. The original $20 program fee is not refundable.
Any questions may be directed to the Teen Court staff by calling 817-952-2468 or at teen.court@bedfordtx.gov.
Eligibility
To be eligible for Teen Court the following conditions must be met:
- Offender must enter a plea of guilty or no contest.
- Participants must be 11 to 17 years old or 18 years old if currently enrolled in an accredited high school.
- Must not have not successfully completed a Teen Court program during the past year or currently enrolled in a Teen Court Program.
- A parent or guardian must be present at time of enrollment and during their first Teen Court session if the defendant is under 17 years of age.
- Must pay a $20 administrative fee to the Municipal Court Clerk's office for each offense.
13-18 Year Olds
Teen defendants' cases are presented to a jury of their peers. Jury members assign a community service sentence according to the Discipline Grid. Defendants are allowed 90 days to complete the assigned community service hours, serve one jury term and complete any required educational classes.
11-13 Year Olds
The program for this age group consists of the youth and their parent/guardian observing a Teen Court session and completion of the First Offender Educational/Counseling Program. The program includes five sessions, which addresses decision-making, juvenile law, anger management and communication skills.