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Teen Court Judges |
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Diana D. Donahue, Esq.
Chief Judge
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Ms. Diana D. Donahue
has been the Chief Community Judge with the Charles County Teen
Court Program since its inception in March 2001. Diana has
been has been practicing law for over 22 years and currently has
offices in Charles and St. Mary’s counties. She served 6 years
as an Assistant State’s Attorney for Charles County, 4 of these
years as a juvenile prosecutor. Diana was instrumental in the
planning, training, and implementation of the Teen Court Program
and continues to be actively involved as a member of the Adult
Advisory Committee and Chief Community Judge. She has also
participated in such notable events as the National Youth Court
Conference, Maryland Teen Court Association Meetings, and
National Youth Service Day. She is a member in good standing of
the Maryland Bar Association, the Juvenile and Family Law
Section, and the Charles County Bar Association. |
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Mr. Doug Cooley has been a Teen Court Community Judge and member
of the Adult Advisory Committee since August 2001. In February
2002 the Charles County Teen Court became the first and is still
the only Teen Court in Maryland to divert traffic cases. Mr.
Cooley has heard the majority of these cases in his role as
community judge and inspired the jurors to create some of the
most innovative sanctions. After serving as an Assistant
State’s Attorney in Charles County, Doug is also Master
for Juvenile Causes for the Charles County Circuit Court.
Although Doug stepped down as an active Teen Court Community
Judge in June 2008, he remains an active member of the Adult
Advisory Committee. |
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Kenneth A. Talley, Esq.
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| Mr. Kenneth A. Talley has been a
Community Judge with the Charles County Teen Court Program since July 2004. Ken
has been practicing law for over 8 years and currently serves as
an Assistant State’s Attorney in Charles County,
after serving with the Charles County Public Defender’s Office
for 5 years. For 3 of these years he represented nearly 90% of the Charles
County juvenile cases. Ken initially came from a teaching background, has
served as the Mediation Program Coordinator for 2 local high schools, and is
currently active in the Big Brother Program of Charles County where he serves as
a mentor for youth. He is a member in good standing of the Maryland Bar
Association, the Juvenile and Family Law Section, and is a Board Member of the
Charles County Bar Association. |
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Ms. Beverly Denniston first came to the Teen Court Program to
chaperone her daughter who was volunteering as a juror. A short
time later she became an adult volunteer, supervising the youth
juries and assisting with coordinating the proceedings. In 2003
Ms. Denniston agreed to volunteer as a community judge when the
scheduled judge was unable to attend at the last minute. She has
volunteered as a community judge ever since, and provides
specific insight in school related offenses. She is a full time
employee with the Charles County Public Schools and works with
special needs students on a regular basis. Her experience in
this area allows the Teen Court to provide diversion services to
some youth who may not have had an opportunity otherwise. |
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Mr. Victor E. Curtis IV
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Mr. Victor
Curtis has been with the Charles County Teen Court program since
it began in March 2001. After observing the very first session,
Vic was completely drawn in by the proceedings and signed on as
an adult volunteer and member of the Adult Advisory Committee.
In October 2006, he was selected to serve as a Teen Court
Community Judge. An Engineer by profession, Vic has been
employed by the Naval Research Laboratory for the past 23 years.
His service to the community does not stop at the Teen Court
Program, he is also a member of the American Red Cross Southern
Maryland Chapter where he provides communications for emergency
shelter operations, a member of the Greater Waldorf Jaycees, and
President of the Thomas Stone High School Band Boosters.
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Mr. Gregory W. Jones, Sr.
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Mr. Gregory
Jones, Sr. has been with the Teen Court program from nearly its
beginning. In October 2007 he was appointed as a Teen Court
Community Judge. He had served over the years in all Teen Court
roles, including as the senior Teen Court adult volunteer, jury
monitor, bailiff, and has conducted Teen Court training sessions
and respondent exit interviews. After retiring from his position as
a senior manager at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission,
he was selected as the Director, Disaster Services for the
Southern Maryland Chapter of the American Red Cross. He is
also active with the Forestville Volunteer Fire Department and
is a senior instructor and developer of the ARRL’s Emergency Communications
Course. In addition, Greg established and currently maintains the Charles County
Teen Court Web site. |
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