The Kansas City Youth Court (KCYC), housed at the University of Missouri School of Law, is a pioneering diversion program that offers at-risk youth a positive and constructive alternative to traditional juvenile justice proceedings. The program focuses on addressing disruptive behaviors in the community while promoting accountability, personal growth, and better decision-making among youth.

A Unique Approach To Juvenile Justice

KCYC works closely with local agencies to receive referrals for youth exhibiting troubling behavior but who may not require formal court prosecution. These referrals are carefully reviewed, and cases are prepared for Youth Court hearings, which take place 2 to 3 times monthly. During these sessions, youth are given an opportunity to resolve their issues by completing meaningful sanctions such as community service hours, writing reflective essays or creating educational videos, and attending classes that relate specifically to their offense.

This approach allows young people to take responsibility in a supportive environment, emphasizing rehabilitation rather than punishment.

Responding To An Urgent Community Need

Recent data highlight the critical need for programs like KCYC. According to the 2023 Jackson County Family Court Statistical Report, African-American youth, while comprising only 31% of the county’s population aged 10 to 17, accounted for a striking 81% of delinquency referrals to Family Court. Youth aged 16 to 17 made up over half of these referrals, emphasizing a pivotal age group vulnerable to entering the justice system.

Out of 1,171 delinquency cases referred in 2023, only 373 resulted in formal filings. Importantly, 147 juveniles who did not face formal court action were served through prevention and diversion programs, but approximately 651 youth exhibiting concerning behavior did not receive any court-related services. The Kansas City Youth Court seeks to fill this gap, offering early intervention to prevent these young people from deeper involvement in the justice system.

Common Offenses & School Impact

Most offenses referred to KCYC involve assault, disorderly conduct, and illegal possession of alcohol or marijuana. A significant number of assault and disorderly conduct cases happen in school settings, which is especially concerning given Missouri’s Safe Schools Act’s strict no-tolerance policies.

Minor acts, such as hitting a peer with a plastic bottle on a school bus, can escalate into serious consequences like felony charges and school expulsions. Such disruptions not only affect the offender but also create fear and distraction, negatively impacting the entire student body’s learning environment.

Assault is actually the most common juvenile criminal offense in Missouri, exceeding theft in frequency. Many students who engage in these behaviors face short-term suspensions, during which they are more vulnerable to risky behavior and are disconnected from education. KCYC addresses this by providing a way to hold youth accountable without involving law enforcement unnecessarily.

Partnerships With School Districts

KCYC has partnered with the Hickman Mills School District to provide Youth Court sanctions for students showing early signs of behavioral problems that could lead to suspension. The program is actively working to establish a similar partnership with the Kansas City School District.

Many behaviors that prompt suspensions—such as assaults on teachers or peers, stealing, or disturbing the peace—may constitute criminal acts. However, without police involvement, these incidents rarely reach the formal justice system. KCYC offers an alternative that responds to these issues with appropriate consequences while aiming to keep students engaged in education and out of the formal court system.

Addressing Disparities In Discipline & Delinquency

Disciplinary issues in some districts are disproportionately high compared to statewide averages. For example, the Hickman Mills School District saw discipline incidents rise from 179 in 2013 to 539 by late 2014. While efforts to reduce suspensions have helped, many shorter suspensions still go unreported in state data, indicating a significant number of students still face exclusion from school.

The student population in the Kansas City School District is predominantly African American—around 77%—a figure that mirrors the racial disparities seen in delinquency referrals. This underscores the importance of culturally responsive interventions like KCYC, which aims to serve youth most at risk of behaviors targeted by COMBAT’s prevention programming.

Promoting Positive Peer Influence & Responsibility

KCYC doesn’t just impose consequences; it fosters a community response that empowers youth. Defendants in Youth Court witness firsthand that their actions are neither accepted nor condoned by their peers. This peer-led accountability sends a powerful message about making positive choices and resisting negative influences.

The program also encourages young people to reflect on their behavior and its impact through carefully designed sanctions that emphasize responsibility and personal growth. By completing their sentences, youth demonstrate accountability while gaining skills that can help them avoid future trouble.

Youth As Advocates & Leaders

A defining feature of KCYC is the involvement of youth attorneys—young people who serve as prosecutors and defenders in the court sessions. This participation gives youth an active role in shaping solutions to juvenile crime and reinforces prosocial values.

By engaging youth in the judicial process, KCYC promotes empathy, leadership, and a commitment to community. These experiences help participants develop coping strategies, improve decision-making, and cultivate healthier relationships.

Building Skills For A Positive Future

The Kansas City Youth Court aims to inspire youth to avoid substance use, develop empathy, and choose healthy relationships. It also equips them with coping skills to resist peer pressure and negative influences.

Through its prevention and diversion approach, KCYC helps youth learn valuable life lessons while avoiding the long-term consequences of a formal criminal record.

Investing In Youth & Community Safety

By providing a constructive alternative to traditional juvenile justice, the Kansas City Youth Court addresses critical gaps in prevention and intervention services for at-risk youth. The program supports youth in understanding the consequences of their actions, taking responsibility, and making positive choices—ultimately fostering safer schools and stronger communities.

KCYC’s innovative model demonstrates how community-based, youth-led approaches can create lasting change and empower young people to build brighter futures.

Locations

Click on the window icon (upper right corner) of the map below to expand. List of all program locations is included with expanded view of map. Locations are also listed on this page below the map.