Sometimes teenagers make a mistake. They might vandalize a building or steal something from the grocery store.

When they get caught they have to answer for their actions.

Several Coupeville High School students are working to form a youth court in which first-time offenders of minor crimes are held accountable for their actions by fellow teenagers.

“We are trying to put together a complete court system and we deal with our students,” said Alex Platt, a senior at Coupeville High School. He is one of a number of students in Chic Merwine’s advocacy class who are trying to establish the court.

The youth court is a diversion process focusing on first-time offenders who have committed such misdemeanors and gross misdemeanors as fourth-degree assault, third-degree theft, and third-degree malicious mischief.

“We focus on restorative justice to get kids involved back in the community,” said Stacie Clarke, a sophomore who is also helping develop the new court.

The youth court sets conditions for an offender to complete. Conditions would include paying restitution, community service, counseling and other conditions that may help prevent a teen from committing further crimes. Offenders will also participate as jurists in two other trials as part of the diversion process.

Should an offender fail to complete the youth court’s requirements, then his or his case will be referred to Island County Juvenile Court for prosecution in the criminal justice system.

The youth court doesn’t rule whether a teen is guilty, they simply work to ensure they answer for their actions.

“We’re not here to prove guilt,” said sophomore Rosa Felici. “They’re taking responsibility for their actions.”

Cathy Snowden with Juvenile Court Services said the youth court is student directed and student driven. Snowden is the only adult allowed in the courtroom to witness proceedings.

Youth court proceedings will be closed to the public and participants sign a confidentiality agreement. When an offender turns 18 the incident is deleted from his or her record, Snowden said.

Students have been working with officials from the juvenile court system to form the youth court. They have been working for seven months on the project and they have attended several training sessions to learn specifics about the system.

Several Coupeville High School students ventured to Seattle University’s law school for a training day last weekend. During that session they learned about the impact that shoplifting and graffiti have on a community and they also learned about creative sanctions. An example students gave of a creative sanction is if a teen should steal an iPod. As restitution, the iPod would be returned to its owner in better condition along with an iTunes card for free songs.

The March 18 visit marked the second time they attended workshops at Seattle University. Last November, they attended workshops about restorative justice and participated in mock trials.

They also went to Bellingham to visit the Whatcom County teen court to see how it operates.

Superior Court Judge Alan Hancock has been helping educate the class about the judicial system. He accompanied them on the school bus that went up to Whatcom County.

“I’ve been very impressed with the students involved in the program,” Hancock said.

He said the youth court is a good opportunity for students to learn about and develop a stake in the system.

The program also provides a chance for offenders to realize their mistake and make amends.

“It helps young people understand there is accountability for the things they do,” Hancock said.

Snowden said she has been wanting to start a youth court in Island County for three years. However, she had trouble getting enough teens together.

Things changed when Merwine approached her saying students in the advocacy class were interested in forming such a court.

Students are still training. They hope to hear their first trial in the fall.

She said the program received a $500 stipend from the administrative office of the courts. That money helps provide training for the students.

Snowden said she plans to approach community organizations for support to help pay for such things as training manuals and after-hours security when the youth court is in session.

Once the program is off the ground in Coupeville, Snowden hopes to expand it to the Oak Harbor, South Whidbey and Stanwood-Camano school districts. To do that she needs to find students who are willing to participate.

To take part or support the youth court, contact Cathy Snowden at 679-7325. For more information about youth courts nationally, go to www.youthcourt.net.