Teen Court
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 misdemeanor theft, 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 1075 cases have come before the Teen Court. The program completion rate for offenders is around 82% with a recidivism rate of 11%. The Teen Court has assigned well over 28,941 community service hours to be completed by respondents. Currently the location being utilized by the Teen Court is the 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 the Teen Court Coordinator.
- Contact Information
- Teen Court Dates 2019-2020
Annapolis District Court Glen Burnie District Court July 31, 2019 August 14, 2019 August 28, 2019 September 25, 2019 October 2, 2019 October 30, 2019 October 16, 2019 November 20, 2019 November 6, 2019 December 18, 2019 December 4, 2019 January 29, 2020 January 15, 2020 February 26, 2020 February 12, 2020 March 25, 2020 March 11, 2020 April 15, 2020 April 1, 2020 April 29, 2020 May 6, 2020 May 20, 2020 May 27, 2020 June 17, 2020 June 3, 2020 June 24, 2020 July 1, 2020 July 15, 2020 - Times5:15 - 5:30 Sign-in with coordinator
6:00 - 7:30 Teen Court Hearings - Locations
- Dress Code: CONSERVATIVE ATTIRE
Remember you are going to court; conservative attire is required for all participants.
NO:
- Open-toes shoes (flip-flops, sandals, etc.)
- Shorts
- Short skirts
- Jeans
- Tank tops / Tee shirts
- Baggy or excessively tight clothing
- No hats
- Sweat-suit type athletic clothing, including sweatshirts
- Bare midriffs
- Pants with holes in them
- All clothing with inappropriate/explicit writing or drawings is prohibited
- Individuals inappropriately attired will not be allowed to participate
- Volunteer InformationAnne Arundel County students between 8th and 12th grade may volunteer for Teen Court. Volunteers earn 3-service learning hours at each Teen Court Hearing. For more information you can call (410) 222-0504 or email us at [email protected]
- Additional InformationTeen Court is held on Wednesday evenings, based on the school schedule. Teen Court will be postponed and rescheduled only if school is closed or all evening activities are canceled on the regular scheduled day due to inclement weather. Please contact Teen Court Coordinator for reschedule dates.
- RulesThe following rules will be enforced
- No cell phones, electronic games or electronic communication devices
- No gum chewing, eating or drinking
- No bottled water
- No smoking
- No photographs
- Remember that what you see and hear in the Teen Court is confidential
- No talking while Teen Court is in session
- Address the judge as “Judge_______” or “Your Honor”
- Be on time and sign in with the Teen Court Coordinator
Failure to adhere to these rules and dress code will result in immediate removal from the courtroom.Cell phones, and all electronic communication devices, including those used for entertainment, are prohibited in the courtroom. Any prohibited device observed and/or emitting an audible sound in the courtroom is subject to immediate confiscation and submission to the Police Department’s Property Management Section.
