MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- Hearings are nothing new inside Shelby County Juvenile Court, but if you listen carefully, these aren't real attorneys, bailiffs or court clerks.
They are students playing the part.
"Please be seated on the witness stand," says one student.
This is a real case.
Twice a month, after hours the courtrooms in Juvenile Hall are turned over to hundreds of students who become jurors for sentencing other kids.
This day a 16-year-old is facing a jury of his peers after police caught him with marijuana in his car.
"I made a bad choice and showed up here," says the 16-year-old.
He knows this is his second chance.
"I have spoken to my client and through that conversation have come to believe he is sorry for what he has done," says Defense Attorney Lauren Jones, an 11th grader.
She is considering a career in law.
She says Youth Court gives her a real feel for what's required.
"It makes me get out of my comfort zone. I don't usually like talking in front of people a lot," says Jones.
Eighteen-year-old Prosecutor Jala Allen is trying her first case and wants to get it right.
"If we do not stop behaviors like this, our community will suffer," says Allen.
Avis Allen started Juvenile's Youth Court Program in 2010 and has grown it from 4 schools with 30 students to 18 schools with now 300 kids.
"A part of youth court is accepting responsibility for the act, admitting to it and willing to make it right," says Allen.
Attorney Sheila Renfroe is one of the many professionals who volunteer with Youth Court and help guide the students and answers questions.
Today she serves as judge, giving the jury instructions.
"The children that come here it's their first encounter with the legal process. They get to avoid going through adjudication with any actual judge, the actual process," says Renfroe.
Organizers say this is really about saving youth who could quickly be on a path of destruction, from drugs, theft or other minor crimes they already committed.
They admit their guilt then leave their sentence up to their peers.
It can be community service, restitution or a letter of apology.
If they complete the sentence, it's wiped off of their record.
If not, they go to the real Juvenile Court.
If you are wondering how successful the program has been, 97% of the students who go to Youth Court for sentencing never return.
As for the jury's verdict for the 16-year-old being sentenced on this day.
"We the jury recommend the following, 40 hours of community service be performed and drug and alcohol classes," says the student serving as Jury Foreman.
"You see there are consequences. This is actually what happens when you get in trouble with the law," says 11th grader Jumia Callaway, who is serving as Court Clerk.
At a time when youth crime is off the charts, efforts to turn the tide can do wonders in saving young lives and reducing violence in the community.
Students have to apply to be a part of the Youth Court program.
They must have a "C" average and cannot have been through Juvenile Court.
As for those who are being sentenced, they must have committed non-violent crimes, and it must be their first offense.