Bay County Teen Court
Bay County Teen Court History
Bay County Teen Court was established in May 1994, inspired by a conversation Judge Biebel had at a judicial conference. There, she met a judge from Texas who spoke about the success of the Teen Court program in his state. Motivated by this concept, Judge Biebel returned to Panama City and shared the idea with a local team, who were all in full support of launching a similar initiative.
To further explore the model, Judge Biebel, along with Jerry Gerde, Kay Rivard, Christopher Patterson, Dennis Massey, and Tommy Pitts, traveled to Sarasota, Florida, to observe their Teen Court proceedings. Inspired by what they saw, the team returned to Bay County and worked collaboratively to develop and implement a comparable program tailored to their community's needs.
The primary goal of Bay County Teen Court was to provide an alternative to traditional prosecution for juveniles charged with nonviolent offenses helping them avoid a criminal record while also easing the caseload of the conventional court system. What made the program particularly unique was its peer-led structure, emphasizing positive peer pressure. By placing teens in key courtroom roles such as jurors, attorneys, and bailiffs the program fostered accountability and provided relatable role models for youth offenders.
Beyond the courtroom, the program also aimed to instill a sense of responsibility and community engagement. Offenders were required to complete mandatory community service, which often involved meaningful contributions such as mowing lawns for elderly and disabled residents in Bay County.
Mission Statement
The Bay County Teen Court Program, Inc. is dedicated to diverting first time offenders, charged with misdemeanor crimes, from the traditional court system and thereby ensuring these juveniles a swift, appropriate sentence without the long-term effects of a criminal adjudication of delinquency.
Program Purpose
To provide an alternative to juvenile court, to punish juvenile, offenders for misdemeanor crimes, to provide a court forum operated by teens for teens, and to encourage teens to demonstrate their leadership skills, responsible citizenship, and volunteerism.
Targeted Group
First time juvenile misdemeanor offenders age TWELVE to SEVENTEEN who admit guilt. Juveniles must sign a waiver of speedy trial, and their parents and/or guardians must participate in the process, appear for hearing and agree to accept the sentence imposed
Oath Of Confidentiality
I solemnly swear that I will not divulge either by words or signs any information which comes to my knowledge in the course of a Teen Court Session and that I will keep secret all said proceedings, which may be held in my presence.
Bay County Teen Court:
Suzanne Cox, Teen Court Director
P.O. Box 1206 Panama City, Florida 32402
Bay County - (850) 747-5191 Fax - (850) 747-5443
Arlene Jones, Teen Court Assistant Director
P.O. Box 1206 Panama City, Florida 32402
Bay County - (850) 747-5191 Fax - (850) 747-5443