Research Symposium

BIO

Hi! My name is Victoria Chwojnicki, and I am from a Chicago suburb in Illinois. I am a sophomore majoring in Economics with a minor in business. This year, I have gained a lot of insight while researching the impact teen court has on the recidivism rate in North Carolina.

The Impact of Teen Court on Recidivism and Other North Carolina Initiatives

Abstract

Teen courts are a diversion program that serve as an alternative to processing juveniles through the traditional justice system. They allow juveniles to take accountability for their crimes by engaging with their peers and community. In contrast to the traditional justice system, teen courts allow juveniles to participate in their rehabilitation process. The purpose of this research is to analyze if teen courts have a significant impact on the juvenile recidivism rate in North Carolina. To answer this question, the larger grant project utilizes three primary types of analysis 1) site visits across teen courts, 2) surveys distributed across counties, and 3) statistical analysis. The findings are still in progress; however, literature review suggests that teen courts lead to a decrease in the likelihood of a juvenile reoffending. Understanding the influence teen courts have on recidivism is essential to ensure that fewer juveniles continue committing crimes into their adulthood. On a societal level, teen courts improve the justice system and shift towards a more holistic, community-oriented approach. By understanding which system is best-suited, policymakers can effectively make justice system decisions, and juveniles can be better reintegrated into society.

Keywords: Recidivism, Juvenile Justice, Criminal Justice