 Guilford County Teen Court |
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Program Description:
Guilford County Teen Court is a diversion program that began in February 1999 under One Step Further, Inc. It is a real court with a real judge presiding over each trial and court session. Teen Court judges are community volunteers and are either a presiding judge on the Guilford County circuit or a practicing attorney in Guilford County. Court hearings are held weekly on Tuesday evenings at courthouses in Greensboro and High Point. Our success rate averages between 96% and 98%. Parental support is key to a child’s success.
Who Can Refer?
Program referrals come from School Resource Officers, Juvenile Court Counselors, Police and Sheriff's
Department personnel, and School representatives.
Target Population:
Teen Court (TC) targets youth offenders ages 6 to 17 whose behavior constitutes a misdemeanor violation of the law for Class I, II or III misdemeanors as defined by current statutory guidelines, and who are actively enrolled in an educational program. Youth are eligible for TC participation under these guidelines as a first committed offense or, youth who have been adjudicated delinquent or undisciplined in court on a previous offense, but have not participated in Teen Court in the past. TC referrals are made by School Resource Officers, law enforcement officials, and juvenile court counselors.
Program Goals:
The benefits of a child participating and completing the Teen Court program are that they gain an
understanding of consequences for their negative actions, learn about self and community responsibility
and accountability, and how their actions effect not just them but those around them. Some of our Teen
Court clients return to become volunteers for the program. Being referred to participate in the program
provides the youth one opportunity to have that charge dismissed and not acquire a juvenile criminal
record.
Program Schedule:
Intake appointments are completed in Greensboro and High Point by appointment.
Court Proceedings are conducted at the Greensboro Guilford County courthouse each Tuesday evening
(except the 1st Tuesday of the month).
Court Proceedings are conducted at the High Point Guilford County courthouse on the 1st Tuesday of
each month.
Where is Teen Court conducted?
Teen Court operates out of the One Step Further, Inc. office in Greensboro, Southside Recreation Center
in High Point, and the Guilford County Courthouses in Greensboro and High Point.
Dawn Hill
Teen Court Program Director
I am a native of Tennessee, but moved to Greensboro, NC in 1979. I have worked with One Step Further, Inc. since March of 1993. I started in Winston-Salem, NC and have worked in many different programs over the years. I began working with Guilford County Teen Court part-time in 1999, became the Assistant in 2003, and Program Director in 2007.
I believe in the process and mission of the Teen Court program in that youth deserve a second chance due to bad decisions. Working with the youth comes easy to me, and I love what I do in serving them and their families.
I love spending time with my three grown children, six grandchildren, and other family members. I have 2 dogs and a cat. I also like gardening, DIY home improvements, traveling and baking.
Phone: 336-275-3699, Ext. 207
Fax : 336-378-0959
Email: dhill@onestepfurther.com
Teen Court Program Assistant
With more than twenty years of experience in client and information management in both the public and non-profit sectors, Hilary is an incredible addition to the One Step Further staff. After receiving a B.A. from Lehigh University in Social Relations, Hilary went on to several administrative and sales roles in Arizona and Connecticut before settling in the Greensboro area in 2015. Her involvements in the Greensboro community include TEDxGreensboro, the City of Greensboro’s Human Relations Commission, and the Women’s Professional Forum Foundation. She first joined OSF as a volunteer and then Coordinator of Senior Nutrition Program with the CSNP. Hilary accepted the position of TC Program Assistant in August of 2021.
Phone: 336-275-3699, Ext. 212
Fax: 336-378-0959
Email: @onestepfurther.com
Quiana Collins
Outreach Case Manager
Quiana Collins is from a region along the lines of the coast. She earned a degree in Sociology with a concentration in Criminology and a minor in African American Studies at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.
She started volunteering at One Step Further, Inc. in November 2018 with the Guilford County Teen Court Program. In August 2019, she became the Outreach Case Manager and a Juvenile Life Skills Instructor.