This sheet is part of our collection of eleven Teen Dating Violence Information and Resources Sheets.

View our complete set of TDV Information and Resources Sheets

This resource explores why it is important for the court system, in considering disposition hearings and the sentencing of perpetrators of teen dating violence, to place adolescents’ actions in the context of their cognitive, psycho-social, and intellectual development. While judges should not excuse abusive behaviors, they should consider the developmental stage of adolescence as a mitigating factor when determining the proper disposition or sentencing.