- March 8, 2026
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Anicie Joseph says her family has a medical background, making her the first person to take a different path and pursue law.
After her friends encouraged her to join Teen Court of Sarasota about a year and a half ago, she gained an insightful experience.
The nonprofit allows teenagers to serve in roles that include prosecuting and defending attorneys, clerks, bailiffs and jurors, helping to provide their peers with an alternative to the traditional justice system.
“They're like, ‘You should do it. You should do it,’ and I was like, ‘OK, I'll try it out. And I ended up really loving the place," she said.
Set to attend Florida International University to major in psychology or philosophy, she was thrilled to be among the organization's scholarship recipients.
This year, the organization gave away a record amount of $40,000 in scholarships to 20 recipients, and during its Changed for Good scholarship dinner, held March 4 at Michael's on East, it celebrated 30 years of offering scholarships.
The nonprofit was established in 1998 with the support of the senior deputy court administrator, the 12th Judicial Circuit Court, local law enforcement agencies, the State Attorney’s office and Sarasota County.
Participating in the program requires the youth defendant to admit to their charges.
Under the supervision of a local judge or attorney, teens work to assign a sentence designed to be constructive. When young people complete the program successfully, their case will be dismissed, with no record of the charge.
“Teen Court Sarasota is legitimately a Sarasota original,” said Deputy City Manager Patrick Robinson, who chaired the event. “This program is a model for every other teen court in this country. We have a dedicated staff. We have great kids and amazing programming, and that's what makes us so special.”
Scholarship recipient Emerson Woods, who has served as a teen attorney and plans to attend Boston University for political science and philosophy on a pre-law track, noted how her time volunteering with Teen Court provided the experience of a real courtroom setting.
“I learned pretty much everything there is about what it's like to be in courtroom roles, from bailiff to attorney," she said. "This program has helped me get internships all through Sarasota, and I just don't think I would have succeeded the way I have without Teen Court. I’m really, really grateful.”
She noted that at the same time it was educational, the experience involved helping members of the community.
"It feels very powerful in a way, and also I just feel really good about it," she said. "I'm really grateful for what the program has done for me, so being able to give back is so important."
