The Judicial Youth Corps (JYC) Program is an intensive educational spring and summer internship that teaches high school students about the Massachusetts court system and rule of law. Students are taught and mentored by judges, lawyers, clerks, probation officers and other court personnel who volunteer their time in educational sessions or as work supervisors. Students participate in a mock trial, field trips, group discussions, and much more. The JYC program, run out of the Supreme Judicial Court's Public Information Office, offers two sessions in the spring and summer. Students who are accepted into the program must attend both sessions. The application period for the 2023 Boston and Worcester Judicial Youth Corps Program has closed.
About the Judicial Youth Corps Program
There are two education components to the program. The weekly orientation sessions to introduce students to the courts and the law go from May until June. Led by a program supervisor and taught by volunteer judges, lawyers, and court employees, the sessions cover a wide range of topics including juvenile law, criminal procedure, family law, landlord-tenant disputes, the jury system, and the appellate process.
The second component is the summer internship portion, which goes from July through August. Students work in paid internships at local courthouses. They also attend paid educational sessions on Fridays.
JYC Program Mission and Facts
- Teaches high school students about the role of the courts and rule of law through a twelve-week court educational and summer internship program in Boston and Worcester
- Provides students with a fundamental understanding and appreciation of legal concepts and principles
- Provides teaching, guidance and mentoring from judges, lawyers, clerks, probation officers and other court employees who volunteer their time with students in educational sessions or as work supervisors
- Provides weekly educational sessions focusing on the appellate and trial courts with an emphasis on criminal law, juvenile justice, family law, landlord-tenant disputes, small claims and mediation
- Uses interactive learning techniques such as role playing, mock trials, team work, group discussions, shadowing and field trips
- Provides paid summer internships in courts in Boston and Worcester
- Students are selected through applications sent to schools, teacher recommendations and interviews with court personnel
- Program administered by the Supreme Judicial Court's Public Information Office
Judicial Youth Corps Fact Sheet and Application
Boston
The application period has closed. Applications will for the 2024 JYC program will be posted here in March/April. Applicants must be residents of Boston.
Worcester
The application period has closed. Applications will for the 2024 JYC program will be posted here in March/April. Applicants must be residents of Worcester County.