Indianapolis Bar Foundation Grant Supports Expansion of In-School Teen Court

Last year, a teenager was arrested with paint on his hands matching the color of fresh graffiti on a church. After his arrest, his family explained that they were having difficulty communicating with him and that he suffered from bouts of depression. Fortunately, the teen was diverted from the traditional juvenile justice system, where statistics show that the likelihood of recidivism is nearly 40 percent, to Reach for Youth's Teen Court, an alternative program where alleged offenders' peers serve as legal counsel and members of the jury.

In an article authored for Indiana Lawyer, Andrew Campbell of Faegre Baker Daniels explained the benefits of the program, which results in students, both participants and offenders, learning about public service and giving back to their communities.

Campbell also notes that through April 1, 2013, the Indianapolis Bar Foundation is accepting grant applications for its 2013 Impact Fund Grant of $35,000. The grant will be awarded to a nonprofit organization that seeks to advance the understanding of the law through philanthropy, education and service.

View the Full Article