Maryland Teen Court Association
Member Profiles
Anne Arundel Baltimore Caroline Charles Kent Montgomery Prince Georges Queen Anne St. Marys Talbot
Anne Arundel County Teen Court
The Anne Arundel County Teen
Court is an alternative
justice system for first time non-violent offenders ages 10-
17 offering teenager offenders a chance to learn from their
mistake in lieu of having a criminal record. Students from
ages 10-17 are needed to perform the roles of prosecuting
and defense attorney, bailiff, clerk and jury, earning 3
service learning hours each court session.
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The Baltimore City Teen Court
program serves youth aged
11-17 and has been committed to reducing and preventing
juvenile delinquency in Baltimore City since 1999. Over
1,000 cases have gone through BCTC since inception and
youth have completed over 15,000 hours of community
service. Both adult and youth volunteers from the local
community are key to the continued success of the
program. On average adult volunteers including judges,
lawyers, educators and high school youth have completed
10,000 hours of community service.
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The Caroline County Teen Court
has been in existence
since May 2002. 427 cases have gone before the Teen
Court since inception. Approximately 40 volunteers are
active within the program, with an average attendance of
20-25 youth per night. Respondents between the ages of
11-17 are accepted into the program. The most commonly
heard cases are second degree assault, possession of
tobacco and possession of alcohol.
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Charles County Sheriff’s Teen Court
The Charles County Teen Court was
established in March
2001 under the auspices of the Charles County Sheriff’s
Office. The program has been nationally recognized by
the Department of Justice, presented to Congressional
officials, and has served as a model for many state
programs. As the number of cases handled approaches
1,000, the recidivism rate remains under 7%,
demonstrating the programs effectiveness.
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The Kent County Teen Court
program was implemented in
2001, with our first case in May of 2002. To date, we
have been averaging approximately thirty to thirty-five
cases a year. Our current population within the program is
around thirty students. The program is only offered to first
time offenders and we are continually seeking ways in
which to attract more students.
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In 1996, under the direction of
then-State’s Attorney
Andrew Sonner, attorneys in the Montgomery County
Office began efforts to establish The Montgomery County
Teen Court, the first Teen Court Program in Maryland.
The first session was held in 1997. Ten years later, 2161
teens have gone through Teen Court, with 92% completing
their sanctions and performing over 60,000 hours of
community service.
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Prince George’s County Teen Court
The Prince George’s County Teen
Court Program is an
alternative justice system which is founded on the
principle of diversion that offers teenage offenders an
important opportunity to learn from their mistakes without
acquiring a criminal record. Teens, between the ages of 10
and 17, who have committed a non-violent misdemeanor
and admitted their guilt, appear for “sentencing” before a
jury of their peers.
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Queen Anne’s County Teen Court
The Queen Anne County Teen Court
Program was created
in 2003 by Frank M. Kratovil, Queen Anne’s County
State’s Attorney, with goals of educating young people
about their system of justice while also providing young,
first-time offenders who commit minor offenses with a
second chance and an opportunity to learn from their
mistakes without a juvenile record.
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The St. Mary’s County Division of
Community Services
implemented the Teen Court Program in January of 2003.
Over 200 cases have gone before the court with a 92%
successful completion rate. First time youth offenders
between the ages of 11-17 are eligible to participate.
Sessions are held every second and forth Monday of the
month at the District Court located in the Carter State
Office Building in Leonardtown.
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Talbot County Teen Court was
started in 1999. It is a
voluntary diversion program run by teens for teens. All
student volunteers are trained in their roles as judges,
attorneys, clerks, bailiffs, and jurors. The respondents
must be between the ages of 13-17, first time offenders,
Talbot County residents, and admit their guilt. 95% of the
youth completed their sanctions and do not carry a record.
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