Youth Volunteer

Teen Court is largely youth-run, with youth filling the roles of jurors, bailiffs, and attorneys! To apply to be a youth volunteer with Teen Court, you must be between the ages of 12 and 18 years or older and currently enrolled in middle or high school.

Quick FAQs

How do I apply?

You can find the youth volunteer application at the very bottom of this page. Complete with a parent/guardian.

Once completed, email the application (PDF/pictures/screenshots) to the Volunteer Coordinator, Liz Wilson at Elizabeth.Wilson1@wake.gov

How old do I need to be to volunteer?

Youth must be at least 12 years old and no older than 18, as long as they are still in high school. All volunteers must be enrolled in middle or high school.

What do I do when I volunteer?

When you arrive at the Wake County Courthouse (316 Fayetteville Street, Raleigh, NC), enter through the Salisbury Street entrance. Once you’ve gone through the metal detectors, a staff member will assist you to the 9th floor, where you will sign-in at the check-in table.

Teen Court staff will assist you in identifying which court room you have been assigned to. Descriptions of each role are listed below.

Teen Court has three roles available to youth volunteers: Jury Member, Bailiff, and Youth Attorney.

As a Jury Member…

You will listen to 2-4 cases each night. After discussing with other jurors, you will provide the appropriate sanctions. These sanctions will be given during court proceedings. No training required.


You will be expected to:

  • Practice courtroom etiquette by being respectful and dressing professionally. Dress code can be found on the FAQs page.
  • Listen without bias to the cases and work collaboratively with your peers.

As a Bailiff…

You will swear the court attendees in and assist the judge and jury. Scripts are provided in the bailiff’s folder in each courtroom. After you serve on the jury one time, you are qualified to volunteer as the bailiff.

As a Youth Attorney…

In Teen Court, the client has already admitted guilt—the purpose of Teen Court is to develop an action plan moving forward. Youth Attorneys prosecute or defend clients during court hearings. Most evenings you will serve as a prosecutor for one case and a defense attorney for another, so you will experience both sides of representation. The Youth Attorney position requires extra training.


Prosecuting Youth Attorney

Represents the community.

Prosecutors advocate for a restorative sentence that will hold the client accountable for their actions and help prevent them from this behavior in the future.

Defense Youth Attorney

Represents the client.

Will meet with the client before court to collect information, develop a relationship, and share this with the jury to prove that a lesson has been learned and the client will not engage in this type of behavior in the future.

Youth Volunteer Application: