Teen Court offers a forum for respondents, ages 12 - 17, to explain their involvement with a misdemeanor offense in a structured environment where their words and actions are evaluated and judged by a jury of their peers. The opportunity for respondents to accept responsibility for their actions by fulfilling sanctions such as community service hours and jury duty assignments.

Teen Court handles misdemeanor, non-violent offenses including: theft, assault, traffic violations, disorderly conduct, vandalism, minor alcohol offenses, and criminal mischief. Juvenile cases addressed by Teen Court can be handled on a timely basis and free up time and funds for the Juvenile Justice and Court systems to handle more serious cases.

Even though participation in Teen Court is totally voluntary, not every youth who applies, or every juvenile who is arrested, is automatically eligible to participate in this unique program. Therefore, it is regarded as a privilege to be selected either as a volunteer, or as a respondent for participation in the Teen Court Program. Flagrant disregard of the principles of Teen Court will result in the privilege of participation being voided.

Once identified by the Teen Court Coordinator, the Department of Juvenile Services, or by District Court, as one who would benefit from Teen Court, the offending youth is required to plead guilty and to understand that their participation in the program is totally voluntary. Parental consent and participation is essential and mandatory. Teen Court is designed to expedite the cases of first time misdemeanor offenders.

These are real cases where an arrest has been

made, or in the case of traffic violations, to the District Court of Charles County. Cases are screened for any prior arrest history and appropriateness by the Program Coordinator before being accepted to Teen Court for disposition.

When the case is to be presented in the "Petit Court" format, the respondent will have a "teen defense attorney" assigned to the case who will do his or her best to bring out any and all mitigating circumstances in an effort to convince the jury to minimize the penalties the jury is required to impose under the sanction guidelines. There is also a "teen prosecuting attorney" who will try to bring forward all the reasons that the jury should impose a stronger penalty within the sanction guidelines.

Following the hearing, the Teen Court Coordinator reviews the disposition determined by the jury with the respondent and his or her parents. They sign a contract agreeing to complete the imposed sanctions within the allotted timeframes. If the respondent completes the sanctions within the prescribed time, the referring judge is notified, and normally no further action is taken.

Teen Court sanctions are designed to fit the offense and will involve future jury participation, potential community service participation, and prevention education.

A typical sanction could include any of the following within the sentencing guidelines:

· Victim(s) apology letter
· Teen Court jury duties
· Community service
· Research paper(s)
· Newspaper Project
· Prevention or education program(s)
· Substance abuse screening/education program(s) (as appropriate)
· In-school informal probation
· Emergency Medical Services ride-along (as appropriate)
· Other sanctions deemed appropriate by the Teen Court Jury