What is Teen Court?
Teen Court is a voluntary program, which allows first time juvenile misdemeanor offenders to resolve their offenses through an informal judicial process. The cases are presented by volunteer Teen Court attorneys to a jury of the respondent's peers made up of volunteers from local middle and high schools. The jury members then assess a disposition (sentence) following the guidelines provided to them either in court or in the deliberation room. Teen Court is a "hands on" educational opportunity, which allows teen offenders and teen volunteers to better understand our system of justice. Upon successful completion of Teen Court, the Charles County Sheriff's Office (CCSO) case is closed and not forwarded to the Maryland Department of Juvenile Services (DJS).

Who is Eligible for Teen Court?
Youth age 12-17 who are a Charles County, Maryland, resident and currently enrolled in a school, may be referred to Teen Court from the presiding judge for traffic violations or be selected for participation by the Teen Court Coordinator and CCSO Juvenile Intervention Officers (JIO) for other misdemeanors (such as minor in possession of alcohol, theft under $500, criminal mischief, and other misdemeanor offenses). The respondent must enter a plea of "guilty" for acceptance into Teen Court. Parental consent and participation is mandatory.

What is the cost for the program?
There is no charge for respondents to participate in the Charles County Teen Court, however, any applicable restitution must be resolved.

Is there a dress code?
The following is enforced for all respondents, jurors, and volunteers:
Neat and clean attire only. Dress pants and a collared shirt or blouse is very appropriate. Girls may wear dresses or long skirts. Solid colored jeans are acceptable only if they are not faded, ripped, or dirty
No caps or hats in the courtroom
No short shorts or short skirts
No tank tops or exposed midriffs
No inappropriate logos on shirts
No torn or dirty clothing
No sagging pants or exposed underwear
No pagers or cell phones
Smoking or possession of tobacco by anyone under the age of 18 is restricted in accordance with Maryland State Law and will be STRICTLY ENFORCED.

Teen Court reserves the right to refuse involvement to anyone who does not abide by the dress code.

Where are the Community Service Worksites?
Each respondent ages 16 and up have the option to utilize the County VICS program to fulfill any community service obligation. It is the respondent's responsibility to contact the agency(s) to schedule the community service hours.

Possible assignments include:
County parks & recreation departments
City library and service centers
County Animal Shelter
Various local non-profit agencies such as the American Red Cross
Affiliated secondary schools
Senior citizen centers or retirement homes
Local Churches
Local Civic Groups
Local government buildings/offices

What are the sanctions for a particular offense?
Sanctions can include a variety of consequences based on the severity of the offense. These can include: a specific number of hours of community service, a required number of terms as a Teen Court Juror, letters of apology, research papers, EMS ride-along (if appropriate), and special projects among others. The Teen Court Jury assesses the sanctions based on the evidence presented and consistent with the severity guidelines provided by the Teen Court Program.

What happens if I am referred to Teen Court from the District Court Judge or JIO?
You will be given a referral form with the phone number of the Teen Court Coordinator. You should contact the coordinator within two days to set up an appointment for your preliminary interview. A parent or guardian must attend the interview with the teen. During the interview you will be given a court date for your sentencing trial. After your hearing, you will meet with the Teen Court coordinator to review the sanctions imposed by the jury and sign a contract agreeing to their completion. You will be provided with the scheduled jury duty dates with instructions on scheduling and completing the other provisions of your sentence.

What happens if I don't finish?
Your case will be sent back to the referring District Court Judge or the Department of Juvenile Services, as applicable, and you will be required to complete that judicial process, and the offense will become a part of the State's official records.

Is Teen Court real?
Yes. The cases are real and so are the consequences. The Teen Court judge has the power to remove from the courtroom and/or hold in contempt any disruptive or disrespectful courtroom observers or participants. The Teen Court Coordinator and/or the Presiding Teen Court Judge reserve the right to refuse to hear the case of any youth who fails to abide by the "Rules of the Court".

Why should I go to Teen Court?
Teen Court places the responsibility of the offense on the teen.
Saves teen or parent from paying the fine, points, and court costs in traffic cases.
Keeps the offense from being forwarded to DJS in criminal cases.
Turns a mistake into a positive "hands on" learning experience.
Reduces the chance of the teen committing further criminal acts by increasing their awareness of current laws.
Teens acquire valuable work experience doing community service hours.
The community benefits through the service hours performed by the teen.

How is Teen Court funded?
The Charles County Teen Court is a program operated under the auspices of the Charles County Sheriff's Office with additional funding provided from state grants. Private sponsors provide recognition for Teen Court staff and teen volunteers.

Can I be a respondent and come back and volunteer?
Yes. Many of the Teen Court volunteers are prior respondents. This background gives a unique perspective since they have experienced it firsthand. Once a respondent has completed their sanctions they are welcome to participate as a volunteer. See the Teen Court Youth Volunteer Application here.

Do you have opportunities for teen and adult volunteers?
Volunteering to work for Teen Court is an educational and rewarding opportunity for both teens and adults. Volunteers are welcome to attend Teen Court Sessions and participate if desired. Teen Court is generally held every other Thursday evening in the Charles County Courthouse located at Washington Ave and Charles Street in La Plata, Maryland. Check our calendar for specific dates. Volunteers need to arrive at the courthouse by no later than 5:30 PM and enter through the parking lot side of the courthouse. When you arrive, a Teen Court representative will greet you and direct you to the jury assembly area. Jurors are to remain in the first floor Jury Waiting Room until assigned to a jury or asked to sit in the court gallery as an alternate juror.

Teens:
Teens, ages 12-17, currently a resident of Charles County and enrolled in a County middle or high school, may serve as attorneys, bailiffs, court clerks, or jurors. Those teens wishing to be attorneys should make their desire known to the Teen Court Coordinator who will arrange for the appropriate training. See the Teen Court Youth Volunteer Application here.

Adults:
Adult assistance is required during court sessions and in the Teen Court office. Duties include monitoring court sessions, serving as bailiff, enrolling respondents and volunteers, clerical work, training teen volunteers, etc. See the Teen Court Adult Volunteer Application here.

Attorneys:
Practicing attorneys are welcome to serve as judges and to assist in training teen attorneys. Please contact the Teen Court Coordinator for additional information.

Does the time I spend as a Teen Court volunteer count towards my Student Service Learning Project required for graduation?
Yes. Volunteer jury members can receive hour for hour credit towards their community service project hours required for graduation. The project record sheet and guidelines are available from your school.

What happens when there is inclement weather on a Teen Court Night?
If the Charles County Public Schools are closed due to inclement weather on a scheduled Teen Court day, there will be NO Court Session that night.

How do I get more information?
Click here to go to the Contact Us page.