Anchorage Youth Court
Anchorage Youth Court (AYC) is a diversionary program for youth in grades 7 through 12 who are accused of breaking the law to be judged by their peers. Local youth take on the roles of attorneys, judges, bailiffs, clerks, and jurors during the trials. Anchorage Youth Court members develop and apply an understanding of the law through legal education, Anchorage Youth Court Bar Association membership, and actual participation in AYC court hearings. AYC is a highly beneficial program because defendants are afforded a chance, in a court hearing by trained local youth, to resolve their legal problems without receiving a formal juvenile record, and the community receives valuable work service as redress for the wrongs committed.
To pass the bar exam and become a member of the Anchorage Youth Court, youth complete a class about basic legal principles and practices. The Anchorage Youth Court Bar Association meets quarterly and members participate in activities designed to provide a broader perspective of the judicial system and restorative justice. Activities include workshops, mock sentencings, and guest speakers from the legal community.