Gun Courts

Special, problem-solving courts that intervene with youth who have committed gun offenses that have not resulted in serious physical injury. Most juvenile gun courts are short-term programs that augment rather than replace normal juvenile court proceedings. The basic model of juvenile gun court includes early intervention (in many jurisdictions, before resolution of the court proceedings); short-term, intensive programming; an intensive educational focus to show youth the harm that can come from unlawful gun use and the immediate response that will result when youth are involved with guns; and the inclusion of a wide range of court personnel and law enforcement officials working together with community members.