Garland, TX – Antoinette Harris, a candidate for Justice of the Peace in JP Court Precinct 2 Place 2, is on a mission to bring a Teen Court program to the community, aiming to create a supportive environment for the community’s youth. With a robust background as a civil and criminal litigator, Harris believes that our community deserves better access to proactive, community-centered programs that focus on rehabilitation rather than punishment.
Having represented numerous young defendants in her legal career, Harris has observed a concerning trend: each of her clients, all 17-year-olds, has been a resident of Mesquite. This realization has fueled her desire to establish a Teen Court in the area, where such programs currently do not exist. “Our youth need more proactive, community-centered programs right here at home,” she stated. “Teen Court allows young people to engage with the justice system in a positive way, taking on roles such as jurors, attorneys, and judges.”
Harris’s vision for Teen Court is to provide a platform that not only educates youth about the judicial process but also fosters essential life skills.
“It strengthens emotional intelligence, empathy, critical thinking, problem-solving, and conflict-resolution skills,” she explained. Moreover, the program instills a sense of accountability and helps young people understand the real-world consequences of their actions.
Drawing from her personal experiences, Harris can attest to the transformative power of Teen Court. “I went through the program myself,” she recalled. “I started as a Teen Juror, worked my way up to a Teen Defense Attorney, and now, years later, I’m a criminal defense attorney advocating for justice. That full-circle experience is exactly why I’m passionate about bringing Teen Court to Mesquite.”
Beyond personal growth, Harris emphasizes that participating in Teen Court serves as a valuable résumé builder for students. The hands-on experience they gain can set them apart in college applications, scholarship submissions, and internship opportunities, demonstrating leadership, responsibility, and civic engagement.
In a time when technology and social media can create barriers between young people and meaningful interactions, Harris believes that programs like Teen Court can help bridge that gap. “It’s about stepping away from screens and into real-world experiences that foster accountability, confidence, and leadership,” she said.
A Justice of the Peace (JP) teen court is an alternative justice program for minors who have committed minor offenses. Teen defendants, who must typically plead guilty, are sentenced by a jury of their peers after having their cases heard by volunteer teen attorneys and a volunteer teen judge. Sentences often involve community service, jury duty, or educational classes instead of traditional fines, with the goal of holding teens accountable and reducing future offenses.
