The idea of peer pressure often has a negative connotation, but Castle Rock’s Teen Court turns the idea around to have a positive impact on youth.

Castle Rock Teen Court is a community-based intervention and prevention program designed to give first-time, nonviolent misdemeanor juvenile offenders a second chance. Instead of facing a judge, these offenders face a panel of their peers, who decide an appropriate sentence. The program, which is entering its fifth year, is currently seeking teen volunteers to serve as panel members or on a jury in the court’s trial model.

Volunteers must be 13 years old or older and have a commitment to learn. They will attend one orientation session in September and must make a commitment to complete a minimum 24 volunteer hours per year with the program. They also must take an oath of confidentiality.

Applications, a schedule and more information are available online, CRgov.com/teencourt.

Orientation will be from 4 to 6 p.m. Sept. 18 and Sept. 25, in the Municipal Courtroom, 100 N. Perry St. Students who are interested in volunteering can choose one session to attend. New volunteers must commit to the program by Oct. 4, when general legal training for new volunteers will begin.

“Teen Court recognizes the power of positive peer pressure and has proven to be quite successful,” said Lyn Olson, Teen Court coordinator. “Once they complete their sentence, many Teen Court offenders return as volunteers because it was such a positive experience for them. Teen Court gives kids who made a mistake a second change and the opportunity to learn and move forward in a positive direction.”

Teen Court started in 2007 when a group of parents, judges, attorneys, school administrators, police officers, teens and other community members gathered to design the program’s vision and strategic plan. Cases that come before Teen Court may include general theft, harassment, trespassing, damaging property, etc. Since its start, Teen Court has handled more than 200 cases.

Questions? Contact Olson, teencourt@CRgov.com or 303-663-6134.