About Us
Serving Midland Teens Since 1986
Purpose & Programs
Midland Teen Court uses youth participation as an alternative system of justice offering young offenders an opportunity to make restitution for their offenses. Teen Courts focuses on individual responsibility, youth participation, and results. Appropriate classes are offered by Midland Teen Court to enhance the skills of participants thus enabling better choices through knowledge in the future by providing weekly traffic education classes and monthly educational seminars on various relevant subjects.
Youth who are charged with and plead guilty or nolo contendre to a Class C misdemeanor may request deferral to Midland Teen Court for the punishment phase in place of paying the fine. Those youth pay their court costs at Municipal or Justice Court, enroll in Teen Court, confer with the office staff, and schedule a date on the court docket. Two court sessions are held each set Monday evening in the Midland County Courthouse.
Staff members are present at the sessions to check-in the participants, serve as jury monitors, court clerks, and document clerks/community service placement counselors. The staff includes the Executive Director, Program Director and Court Assistant who work both in the office and at court sessions. Additional volunteers and board members work during the court sessions on Monday evenings.
The teen jury awards hours of community service, evenings of jury service, and other appropriate requirements as the “constructive sentence.” All youth, both those with a case and those who are serving as volunteer jurors or teen attorneys, gain a better awareness and understanding of our justice system and gain skills needed to be effective citizens.
Upon receipt of documentation of successful completion of a case within the state allowed 90-day period, the referring Municipal Court or Justice Court dismisses the citation with prejudice, and the charge cannot be used against the youth, thus saving the cost of the fine as well as preserving future options that could be affected by some convictions on a record.
Our History
The Junior League of Midland, Inc., began Midland Teen Court in 1986 as a project in coalition with the City of Midland, Midland ISD, and Midland County. The Junior League, City and Midland ISD funded the project equally; Midland County provided office space in the County Annex and court space in the Courthouse. Midland Teen Court, Inc. incorporated in 1993 as an independent non-profit corporation, and the IRS granted 501(c)(3) status.
Since September 1986, over 18,900 cases have been referred to the program, giving those youth (ages 10-18 or still enrolled in an accredited high school at the time of the offense) an opportunity to appear before a teen jury and accept a “constructive punishment”—hours of community service, evenings of teen jury service, and appropriate classes. Upon successful completion within the allowed 90 days, the offense is dismissed by the referring court, thus giving the youth an opportunity to keep a “clear record.”
Midland Teen Court sessions are held Monday evenings, at the Midland County Courthouse. Jurors are both volunteer youth and youth who have an active Midland Teen Court case. Volunteer teens may also train to serve as teen attorneys. The judges are the State District Court Judges, County Court-at-Law Judges, and local board certified attorneys. All involved learn more about the judicial system and enhance citizenship skills.
Teen Courts in Texas are authorized under Chapter 45, 45.052, Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, and Chapter 54, 54.032, Texas Family Code.
Midland Teen Court Staff
Chalace Phillips
Executive Director
Chalace Phillips serves as the Executive Director of Midland Teen Court, a position she has held since March 2022. With a profound dedication to empowering teenagers, Chalace leverages her distinctive background in nonprofit work to drive impactful initiatives within the organization. Before assuming her role at Midland Teen Court, Chalace played an instrumental part in establishing Midland ISD’s Family Support Center.
Equipped with a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the University of Texas Permian Basin, Chalace is currently pursuing a Master’s in Public Administration, further enhancing her capacity to effect positive change in her community.
Outside of her professional endeavors, Chalace finds joy in indulging her passion for reading and exploring new destinations through travel.
Chalace Phillips
Executive Director
Chalace Phillips serves as the Executive Director of Midland Teen Court, a position she has held since March 2022. With a profound dedication to empowering teenagers, Chalace leverages her distinctive background in nonprofit work to drive impactful initiatives within the organization. Before assuming her role at Midland Teen Court, Chalace played an instrumental part in establishing Midland ISD’s Family Support Center.
Equipped with a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the University of Texas Permian Basin, Chalace is currently pursuing a Master’s in Public Administration, further enhancing her capacity to effect positive change in her community.
Outside of her professional endeavors, Chalace finds joy in indulging her passion for reading and exploring new destinations through travel.
Belinda Garcia
Program Director
Belinda Garcia is the Program Director of Midland Teen Court, a role she has embraced since September 2022. Prior to her current position, Belinda demonstrated exceptional dedication and competence as the organization’s Administrative Assistant, a role she held from August 2018 onwards. With a heartfelt commitment to nurturing the potential of teenagers and guiding them towards becoming productive members of society, Belinda finds immense fulfillment in witnessing their successes.
Her unwavering loyalty to the organization and her genuine compassion for individuals from all walks of life make her an invaluable asset to the team, embodying the values and mission of Midland Teen Court with authenticity and dedication.
Board of Directors
Susannah Prucka
President
Katy Stallings
Vice President
Brandy Wrangham
Secretary
Travis Jones
Treasurer
George D. Gilles
Roberto Cedillo
Megan Oliphint
Ashley Colquitt
Amy Stretcher Burkes
Steven Villela
Whitney Sotelo
Glenn Harwood
Leah Robertson
Earl J. Davis
Tyler Mayo
Candace Barnard
Lyndsey Childs
Evans Miller Hall
Megan Jordan
Cade Grigsby