Teen Court in Talbot County will begin their 18th year of service to the community beginning in August and running through the 2016-2017 school year. The Teen Court program addresses high risk problematic behavior among county youth. The program provides early diversion for youth with first-time, minor offenses, often alcohol and tobacco, and marijuana citation violations.
Teen Courts are staffed entirely by youth volunteers from Easton High School, Sts. Peter & Paul High School, and St. Michael’s High School who serve in various capacities within the program, acting in the roles of jurors, lawyers, bailiffs, clerks and judges. Volunteers learn and are active participants in the inner workings of the justice system. Current recruitment of students interested in participating in Teen Court is underway! Student volunteers earn service learning hours towards their graduation requirement. Interested students should contact Teen Court coordinator Gary Pearce at [email protected] or by phone at 973-479-8873.
Talbot Teen Court is a sentencing court in which the offender has already admitted guilt or pled no contest. The Talbot County Teen Court operates much like a traditional court, holding hearings before a student judge and jury with the jury deliberating to determine an appropriate disposition (sentence). Court is held in the Talbot County Courthouse, Easton.
This program provides educational training to both the 100 or more youth volunteers as well as the 50 or so youthful offenders who will come before the Court. Teen Court provides appropriate consequences to reinforce that negative behavior will not be tolerated in our communities. It provides opportunities for pro-social activities and social restitution in the community to steer youth away from the streets and continued delinquent activity, and provides referrals to services to address substance abuse as well as mental health or educational needs.
The program since its inception in 1999 has a very successful track record with a recidivism rate of less than 10%. The program is supported by multiple agencies and organizations who give generously to continue the program here in Talbot County.
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