This year’s Law Day Public Service Award has been awarded to Sarpy County Teen Court. As per the Omaha Bar Association, the award began in 1983, to be presented to a non-attorney individual or organization which by their efforts “significantly enhances" the public’s knowledge of the law or legal system, that also the service they provide to the community is not for pecuniary profit, and that the recipient has demonstrated their commitment over the long term to such an enhancement of the public's understanding of law. 

Started in 1995 by diversion and probationary officer Rosalyn Munn, Sarpy County Teen Court is a peer-accountability model where kids decide what the consequences children face for their crimes should be. As per Teen Court Representative Leonard Matthias in an interview with Dave Sommers: "There are cases from shoplifting, criminal mischief, assault, possession of marijuana, and minor possession of alcohol. So, everybody in the courtroom is a teenager, prosecuting attorneys are teenagers, and defense attorneys are teenagers. All the jury members are teenagers. The only adult in the courtroom is myself, and then the judge, who's a Creighton law student." 

In that interview, Leonard Matthias always wanted to give a special shout-out to the many schools he has gone to, to present and petition the youth of classrooms, which are to fill the jury slots of Teen Court (so I’ll continue the shout-out here, hoping to help his thanks reach them!).

As per Sarpy County’s website, teen volunteers get hands-on experience for a future in law enforcement or practicing law, to also learn how our legal system works, to ensure that the actions of their peers receive fair consequences, and certainly to gain confidence with public speaking. The Teen Court does not handle felonies but is allowed to handle misdemeanors. Some of the consequences could be something like community service, maybe minor letters of apology or self-reflection, but other times it could be therapy, as per Teen Court Representative Adam Thompson. The Teen Court gets some grant money, which they use to help those kids who cannot otherwise pay for therapy. 

What a fantastic institution that Omaha has, that a child could choose that their merits and mistakes and choices can be weighed and punished by peers who want to see the best, most fair outcome happen upon others their own age, under the supervision of adults. None deserves this year’s Public Service Award more than Sarpy County Teen Court, a wondrous engine for accountability and growth among teens of the Omaha-Metro community. Our law, which is for everyone, that even teens hold regard for the consequences of those who step outside the bounds of law, is heartening. 

Austin Petak is an aspiring novelist and freelance journalist who loves seeking stories and the quiet passions of the soul. If you are interested in reaching out to him to cover a story, you may find him at austinpetak@gmail.com.