10/14/2026
Talbot Teen Court opens for local students with October training
Talbot Teen Court will host a training on October 29 at 5:30 p.m. in the Bradley Room of the Talbot County Court House, to prepare student volunteers for the program.
Talbot Teen Court is a voluntary, diversion program for first-time, misdemeanor offenders who are judged by a jury of peers. The peers are student volunteers who are trained on the roles and responsibilities and determine appropriate sanctions. Student volunteers assume the roles of judge, juror, bailiff, clerk and attorney.
The training is open to Talbot County students, ages 13-17, who want to learn about the Teen Court process and the roles and responsibilities of volunteers. Interested students should email [email protected]. Volunteers should expect to attend several training sessions in addition to court hearings throughout the school year.
“Our student volunteers give their time, take their responsibility seriously, and show their peers that accountability and second chances can go hand-in-hand,” said Talbot County Sheriff Joe Gamble. “Their leadership is a reminder of how much young people can accomplish when given the opportunity to make a difference.”
The training is facilitated by Assistant Public Defender Bridgette Lane and other members of the Public Defender’s Office who attend training and sessions to support students in their roles.
Along with trainings and court sessions, Talbot Teen Court program participants may attend special events, including lunch and learns with judges.
There are more than 1,800 teen court programs across the country, making them the most replicated juvenile justice program since the first juvenile court in 1899 in Illinois. In addition to reducing recidivism rates among youth offenders, teen court programs typically cost less than traditional juvenile courts, and a greater proportion of offenders may complete sanctions. And because the programs use community service as a sanction, the programs may enhance community-court relations. In addition, the programs may help promote volunteerism and empower youth to continue to make good choices.
The Talbot Teen Court program is a voluntary youth diversion program for first-time misdemeanor offenders. The program is based upon the principles that everyone has a right to be judged by a group of peers and people deserve a chance to make up for mistakes.
Teen Court is administered by the Talbot County Sheriff’s Office. More information is available at talbotteencourt.org.