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Picture this: A student gets in trouble at school. The punishment: suspension. But what if there were an alternative to this punishment, one that was better for the school and possibly the student?

Several schools in the area have implemented a new program called Youth Court through which students have the option to avoid suspensions. After admitting to being guilty for a first-time offense, the respondent appears before a jury of his or her peers. The jury asks questions to find out more about the infraction and then -- with the help of teachers and lawyers -- prepares a sanction for the respondent.

Sanctions suggested by the jury often include community service or anger management classes. All respondents must also perform jury duty at least once during the school year. Offenses may include disrespectful behavior, smoking, truancy or destruction of property.

"We handle everything from profanity to fighting," said Max Slackman, a senior at Patrick Henry.

As the advocate director of his school's Youth Court, Max is in charge of the student advocates. These students are the "detectives of Youth Court" and interview each respondent about his or her case.

The jury is made up of students in the school. Julie Drewry, the Youth Court Coordinator at Patrick Henry, said jurors "have the satisfaction of knowing they have helped the school community but they are also providing a service [to the school]." As part of the program, jurors also learn from local lawyers how to ask questions and how to be active listeners.

Beginning in the spring of 2004, Patrick Henry's program became the model program for the state of Virginia. There are 940 similar courts in the country as part of the National Youth Court Center. William Fleming began its system in the spring of 2005.

In a survey given to respondents at Patrick Henry in 2004, 70 percent said they were glad that they participated in the program; 21 percent said they wished they had taken their initial sentence. Drewry attributes this to the fact that "suspension is easier than apologizing and community service." The school avoided 133 suspension days. Fifty-six percent of students who successfully completed their sanctions did not have other discipline problems last year. According to Drewry, Youth Court has helped students with discipline problems to change their attitudes.

Shakia Evans, a sophomore, appeared recently as a respondent at Patrick Henry. She said she chose to participate in Youth Court "because I had done it last year and it keeps me out of trouble and I think it's a good idea."

Shakia also said, "It's fun. I want to be a lawyer and it makes me feel like I'm getting in practice to do that." She enjoyed learning about the system and talking to her peers and other respondents.

Alex Volpone, Patrick Henry's Youth Court president, said, "I love it when the respondents remain on the jury." According to Drewry, eight of the students who completed sanctions last year are permanent jurors this year, not because they are forced to but because they chose to give back to the school.

Alex, a senior, said, "Youth Court is about giving back to the community and helping other students give back to the community."