The Manvel Municipal Court is accepting applications for the 2025-2026 Teen Court Program! Applications are due by August 10, and the program will kick off in late August; Session One will run from August to December 2025, and Session Two will run from January to May 2026. The Municipal Court will host an Informational Meeting on July 31 from 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. at Manvel City Hall, 20031 Morris Ave.
Teen Court is a real justice "peer court" for misdemeanor juvenile traffic offenses run by teens, for teens, where participants prosecute and defend actual juvenile cases, learning about the judicial system along the way and training with real Municipal Judges, Police Officers, and Court staff. The program encourages students to take an interest in the judicial system and familiarizes them with navigating it.
Teen Court has several objectives; improve the overall understanding of the juvenile justice system, promote the application of appropriate sanctions concerning juvenile offenses, reduce recidivism of juvenile offenders, and spark an interest in the legal profession.
To become involved with the program, juvenile defendants plead guilty or “no contest” and then choose to have their cases adjudicated via Teen Court. Teen volunteers will then work with real justice professionals to prosecute or defend the defendant to teen jurors and official Municipal Court Judges. During the case, teen jurors hear arguments from the prosecution and defense before deciding on a punishment. Punishments can include community service hours and serving terms as a juror on other Teen Court cases.
The Municipal Court is currently accepting applications for student volunteers from the 7th-12th grade who would like to participate in Teen Court as an attorney, bailiff, juror, and/or clerk. Teen Court is an excellent opportunity for participants to gain knowledge of the legal and judicial system, advance personal and professional skills, and be a positive role model to peer groups. Participants will earn volunteer hours for graduation and gain field experience. Teen Court looks great on college and scholarship applications, too!
The Municipal Court will host an Informational Meeting about Teen Court on July 31 from 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. at City Hall, 20031 Morris Ave. The 2025-2026 Teen Court Program will kick off in late August.
To apply for Teen Court, visit cityofmanvel.com/teencourt. The deadline to submit an application is August 10.
For more information on the program, call 281-692-2500 during regular business hours or email megan.cavazos@cityofmanvel.com. Come, learn, and be part of the Teen Court Program!