| The Community Judge is the senior
authority in the courtroom. He/she introduces the respondent to
the teenage peer jurors who are informed of the charge against
the respondent and the reported circumstances. After hearing the
evidence presented by a teenage prosecutor and defense attorney,
the jury considers the appropriate sanctions for the offense.
The decision is reviewed by the judge and read to the respondent
by the Court Clerk or the judge. Based on experience, the judge
discusses the offense with the respondent and parents/guardians
present and the potential impact continuing such behavior can
have on their future. All issues that may arise about court procedure,
deliberation questions from the jury, or the applicable law are resolved by
the judge. |
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Prosecuting Attorney |
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| The prosecutor, representing the State
of Maryland has the responsibility
to seek justice and to seek a disposition (sentence) based on
the severity of the offense committed, not simply be an advocate
for the highest possible sentence. This teen reviews the details
of the case, and prepares the case for presentation, gives an
opening statement, questions the respondent for relevant facts, and gives a closing
argument to the jury. The prosecution becomes familiar with both
the aggravating and mitigating circumstances of the case and
diligently brings forward all the reasons that the jury should
impose sanctions that will be constructive and rehabilitative. |
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Defense Attorney |
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| The defense attorney represents the
respondent and is their advocate. This teen reviews the details
of the case in advance, and prepares the case for presentation
to the jury, gives an opening statement, objects to any
questioning by the prosecuting attorney that is believed wrong,
questions the respondent, and presents a closing argument to the
jury. Every effort is made by the defense attorney to bring out
any and all mitigating circumstances to convince the jury to
reduce the penalties they impose upon the respondent. While the
defense attorney must zealously attempt to help the client, it is important
to never misrepresent the case. |
| The Teen Court Bailiff is an officer of
the Court whose chief duty is maintaining the safety and
security of all Teen Court participants. Duties of the bailiff
are guarding the jurors, escorting the respondents and their
families into the courtroom, announcing and assisting the Judge
during the hearing, and maintaining order in the courtroom
throughout the hearing. In Saint Mary's County Teen Court, the
bailiff is oftentimes a Sheriff's Cadet or the adult staff
volunteer who also serves as the jury monitor during jury
deliberations. |
The court clerk is responsible for
recording the business of the court proceedings. At the Judge's
request, the clerk calls the cases before the Court by reading
the case number and respondent name and announcing the charge.
The clerk also records the time the hearing begins and ends on
the court docket. When the jury returns from deliberation and
the Judge instructs him or her to do so, the clerk stands and
reads the verdict, and then records the sanctions on the court
docket. |
| Jury Member |
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Teen Court
Jury duty is a privilege and serious responsibility. A juror is
required to base the disposition (sentence) only on the evidence
as heard in the court. The disposition should be designed to
hold the respondent responsible for their actions. A juror must be able
to perform honestly, without fear or favor.
Jurors are randomly selected from the
Teen Court volunteer pool and jury members often include
previous offenders who have been sanctioned to serve jury duty.
Jurors are screened prior to each
hearing to ensure that they do not know the offender and are
obligated to treat each case individually, perform honestly,
conscientiously, without prejudice, and without fear or favor.
Jurors are required to base their
decisions only on the evidence presented in court and upon the
law as the Judge instructs. They also must reach a majority
decision on the sanctions they will impose upon the offender.
Prior to jury deliberations in each
case, the judge will
select a jury member to serve as the jury foreperson. The
foreperson is responsible for guiding the jury deliberations,
whether in the petit or grand jury format, recording the
sanctions agreed upon on the case disposition form, and
providing the same to the judge when asked after returning to
the courtroom at the conclusion of deliberations.
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