You embarrassingly trudge your way through the courtroom after being accused of a terrible crime: running a red light. When you finally step up to the defendant’s stand after what feels like an eternity, you keep your head down and wait in anticipation for the judge to begin the court proceedings. It isn’t long before the judge begins to speak, but you’re caught off guard when you realize that what you hear isn’t the voice of a professional with a law degree. Confused, you look up to see that not only the judge is a teenager, but so is both the prosecution and the jury. Your jaw drops as you realize that your fate is about to be decided by a bunch of high schoolers.
This very scenario plays out every month when a group of Liberty students attend the Renton Youth Court where they preside over misdemeanor cases that involve traffic infractions.
“The Renton Youth Court is a good entrance for anyone who wants to be a lawyer,” junior Landon Saino said.
In order to participate in the youth court, students must start by completing a participation request form that can be found at the Youth Traffic Court website. Upon reaching the Renton Youth Court, which is scheduled for the second Wednesday of each month, students receive training and learn skills that allow them to properly participate in the courtroom. Some of these skills are understanding court precedure, learning how to take part in examinations, and how to play each role in the courtroom. When these students are ready, they sign up for a case, prepare an opening statement, and create questions for the witness. After the students do their part in the courtroom by playing the role of either the prosecution or defendant, they decide the verdict for their case.
“Anyone can join. It’s the only student-friendly law experience that you don’t need to rigorously apply for and you’re guaranteed to enjoy,” Saino said.
One of the most exciting things about the Renton Youth Court is that students create impact within their community by deciding verdicts for real cases and administrating real punishments.
“We usually give small punishments like community service or we make them write an apology letter,” junior Anderson Metcalf said. “The punishments can be more severe such as getting a license suspension or additional fines.”
There are also many benefits that students gain from participating in the Renton Youth Court; students earn community service hours as well as gain a better understanding of how the judicial system works.
“The youth court does a good job of teaching students about our judicial system on a local level because you can actually see how it’s run,” Saino said.
Another thing that students enjoy about the youth court is the atmosphere of it all. Students have a great time talking to their friends and there is a great sense of encouragement throughout the courtroom.
“I went to the Renton Youth Court for the first time a few weeks ago, and everyone was very helpful and supportive when it came to teaching me what to do,” junior Jonas Padilha said.
After their great experiences at the Renton Youth Court, some students have decided to bring their passion for law back to Liberty with the creation of the Liberty Youth Court club. At the club, students will be provided a learning experience that further prepares them to participate at the Renton Youth Court.
“Liberty Youth Court is all about helping students who want to participate in the Renton Youth Court,” Saino said. “Although the Youth Lawyers program doesn’t have a big learning curve, it’s important that students know some basic information before participating in a courtroom.”
The club plans on having a meeting every other Wednesday during flex time and is going to have Mr. Matheney as their advisor.
Overall, with the creation of the new club, there will be more Liberty students than ever participating in the Renton Youth Court meetings each month. With this, it is likely that many more students will discover their passion for law and may even study it when they go to college.
“I’m really considering getting into law,” Saino said. “I want to be a lawyer.”
