A youthful mistake doesn't have to land on your kid's permanent record, if they're willing to fess up in teen court.

The State Bar says teen court works so well in Buffalo and Pepin County that it gave the program an outstanding achievement award.

They may not be a jury, but they are a very serious panel of peers. Three teens full of questions; three teens who can relate to another admitting guilt.

"Do you consider this serious?"

"Do your friends partake in this too?"

"Will you ever do this again?"

"As kids, we know what they're going through. We know how they're feeling," says Nathan Stein, a teen court panelist.

Their crimes are minor—things like having alcohol and curfew violations and the teens are first time offenders.

"They work with positive peer pressure to ensure that one time offenders can stay one time offenders," says Teen Court Coordinator Sky Holt.

"It's a good way for kids to make up what they did without having it on their records," says Derek Evenson, another teen court panelist

So far this year, about 10 kids have been in teen court. There can be anywhere from five to 25 every year. It costs $8500 a year to keep teen court running, but 80 percent of that money comes from donations.

"I kept swearing at teacher," Michael Brantner, 15, tells the panel.

Brantner came to court for a disorderly conduct charge. He took the initiative to send an apology to his teacher, which the panelists took into consideration during their deliberation.

"It's nice to know he feels bad about what he did," Stein says.

They ultimately decided on community service—as a punishment and to help Michael, who was recently diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome, work on his social skills.

"We decided to recommend that you play games with the residents at the nursing home," says Samantha Lerum who’s also on the panel.

A consequence that made a nervous teen, and maybe an even more nervous mom, very happy.

"I think it was very fair," says Nicole Brantner, Michael’s mom. “I think it worked very well for him with his disability."

"I thought I was going to get more of a punishment, but I like this,” Michael Brantner says. “They're my age and they understand."

And with that Michael and his mom leave court, leaving three teens satisfied with their judgment.

"It's always good for them to realize what happens before they're 18," Lerum says.

"It's a lot easier to work with someone as a peer instead of being intimidated by someone who may be in black robes looking down at you,” Stein says.

The Pepin/Buffalo Teen Court is looking for new panelists. You can call Sky Holt, the teen court coordinator, at (715) 235-9552 or e-mail her at sflanders@positive-alternatives.org.