EVERETT – Ellen Hallgarth, 16, faced the judge and jury, explaining why she was cited for speeding down a city road.
Julie Busch / The Herald
They were all around her age, some of them classmates at Everett High School. But their faces were as stern as any seasoned courtroom judges.
“I know I was in the wrong,” Hallgarth said. “I think I learned my lesson, and I won’t do it again.”
Hallgarth was one of 11 teenagers to go before a court of their peers recently at the last Teen Traffic Court session of the school year, held at Everett Municipal Court.
There for speeding, running stop signs, failing to wear seat belts and other first-time infractions, the teens were looking for a reprieve.
In this court, a term of community service saves a student’s driving record from blemish – and a parent’s insurance bill from ballooning.
Teen Traffic Court involves students who live in Everett and attend Cascade or Everett high schools.
Several other Snohomish County high schools have similar teen court programs, for traffic violations as well as school infractions and minor misdemeanors. There also is a teen court option at Denney Juvenile Justice Center monitored by Snohomish County Juvenile Court and the YMCA.
The court is attractive to families, Everett High School adviser Dave Hastings said.
“Insurance is monstrous for teenagers. One infraction, and it goes ballistic,” he said. “These young drivers get a second chance.”
Teen Traffic Court also gives students on both sides of the bench a chance to learn about the court system by participating in it – in a very real way.
The advice from assistant city attorney Michael Fisher to young drivers before proceedings started: Don’t slouch.
“This is a court. And the respect and deference the court deserves in the real world is required here, as well,” he said.
Teenage jurors and judges follow recommendations from the court when handing down community service hours. But they have the liberty of shaving or adding hours as they see fit.
Tips based on this most recent session: Don’t bother bringing photo evidence, wear a nice shirt and, by all means except breaking traffic laws, don’t be late.
Hallgarth, who won favor for her respectful attitude and tasteful attire, was happy to get the recommended 14 hours of community service.
It will be tough to fit into a busy schedule for the junior. “I work 18 hours a week, and I have a six-hour SAT course,” she said.
“You’re going to have to give up time on the phone,” said Connie Hallgarth, her mother. “It’s still getting off easy.”
Two judges and juries divided the work. By the end of the evening, one girl was given an extra hour of community service for a shirt found frumpy while another boy was given an extra hour because he arrived late.
Teen judge Jeremy Wallace, 18, handed down the night’s most eye-popping order.
Everett High junior Bryce Teigen, 17, was given the recommended 20 hours for speeding, but because the infraction occurred in a school zone the sentence was automatically doubled to 40 hours – all to be done before the end of June.
Parent Don Teigen didn’t blink, instead smiling and rubbing his hands in satisfaction. “Forty hours is better than our insurance sky-rocketing.”
Bryce’s mother, Julie Teigen, said she was impressed by the way the teen court members dealt with their classmates.
Wallace, a senior at Everett High, said he and other volunteers have to be careful in their judgment. “Some of these people I know,” he said.
Still, he conceded, “It’s kind of fun to have some power.”
Students who volunteer as judges, clerks and jurors say they also have learned a lot about the court system by participating.
Court clerk Jesse Alya, 18, a senior from Cascade High, noted there’s a lot of paperwork
“Our first night we were here until 8 o’clock doing paperwork – penalty orders and summons and compliance records,” Alya said.
He and fellow Cascade High senior Alyssa Valder also participated in Teen Traffic Court last year.
Valder said she was sad to hang up her judge’s cloak for the final time. “It’s an empowering feeling,” the 18-year-old said.
For good measure, she said she hit the gavel down hard to mark her final case and the last of the night. “Court is adjourned.”
Reporter Melissa Slager: 425-339-3465 or mslager@heraldnet.com.
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