Teen Court

>> 2006 -2007 Teen Court Schedule 

Teen Court is a program that offers teenage offenders an important second chance - a chance to learn from their mistake without the high cost and stigma of a criminal record.

Teen Court is a real justice program run by teens for teens. Juvenile’s aged 12 through 17 who have committed a misdemeanor crime appear before a jury of their peers. The crime is generally a first offense, and the respondent must admit involvement since this is a disposition (sentencing) hearing only.

Teen Court is offered as a positive experience to divert a first time teen offender away from a pattern of criminal behavior. Cases heard in Teen Court involve crimes such as shoplifting, disorderly conduct, destruction of property and possession of alcohol to name a few.

In Teen Court, volunteer teens perform the roles of the prosecuting and defense attorneys, bailiff, clerk and jury. The Judge is the only adult directly involved in the court proceedings.

After careful consideration of the facts, the jury deliberates and decides upon a constructive disposition, including a minimum number of community service hours and serving on at least one and up to four teen court juries .The respondent then has 60 days to complete the disposition and have the original charge dismissed. If the disposition is not completed, the case returns to the referring agency, for formal processing. Other sanctions include attending educational programs, and writing essays and apology letters.

The Anne Arundel County Teen Court is a cooperative effort of the County Executive, Anne Arundel County State's Attorney's Office, Anne Arundel County Public Schools, Maryland Department of Juvenile Justice, the Anne Arundel County Police Department, and the Leadership Anne Arundel Teen Court.

Since the Teen Court’s inception in Jan 1998 over 815 cases have come before the Teen Court. The program completion rate for offenders is around 81.78% with a recidivism rate of 10%. The Teen Court has assigned well over 20,192 community service hours to be completed by respondents. Currently the two locations being utilized by the Teen Court are the Glen Burnie and Annapolis District Court buildings.

The recruitment of Teen Court volunteers is always a priority. Speaking engagements and general questions involving Teen Court are handled through Mrs. Anne Shawkey

Contact Information

Ann Shawkey
Teen Court Coordinator
Office: (410) 222-0504
Fax (410) 354-1696
Email: ashawkey@aacounty.org

Snow Dates: *If school is closed due to inclement weather Teen Court will be cancelled and rescheduled.

Times

5:15 p.m. - 5:50 p.m. Sign-in with staff
6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.  Teen Court Hearings
* Parents are welcome to observe.

Dress Code

No shorts, short skirts, tank tops, baggy or tight clothing; no sweat clothes, flip-flops, hats, bare midriff, jeans or pants with holes in them; shirts with explicit writing or drawings also prohibited.

Volunteer Information

Volunteers earn 3-service learning / community service hours.

Other Information

>> Online Training - www.youthcourt.net (access code: 279014)