Texas Law Youth Court

Students will train and supervise local middle school students who conduct peer-run hearings, and participate as mentors to students. Youth Court is an alternative discipline program designed to challenge the school-to-prison pipeline, a national trend whereby children are pushed out of school and into the juvenile justice system. Youth Court helps students avoid detrimental punishments of suspensions, expulsions, and criminal citations by agreeing to complete appropriate consequences suggested by their peers and tailored to particular offenses. Law students will teach middle school students to advocate for their peers, choose appropriate consequences tailored to particular behaviors, and promote student citizenship in the school community.

Organization

Texas Law Pro Bono Program Educational Equity Project

The Educational Equity Project is an internal project of the Richard and Ginni Mithoff Pro Bono Program, in partnership with the William Wayne Justice Center for Public Interest Law and the University of Texas at Austin’s Division of Diversity and Community Engagement.

Project Details

Project Start Date

February 2018

Approximate hours of work requested
1 hour per week through late April 2018; students will be asked to sign up for a regular weekly shift from 2:50pm-3:45pm one day per week; Youth Court is especially in need of volunteers for the Wednesday and Thursday shifts
Training
An 1-hour training for new and current volunteers will be held on Monday, February 19, from 3:30pm-4:30pm in TNH 2.139
Skills used
Client communication and problem-solving; mediation; restorative justice practices; clear communication of laws
Project location
Martin Middle School, 1601 Haskell St, Austin, TX 78702
Number of student volunteers requested
5
Class year preference
1L, 2L, 3L, LLM
To Apply
Submit email stating interest to ssedgwick@law.utexas.edu