SWEARING-IN CEREMONY FOR TEEN COURT STUDENTS

Year-old Program Expands to Two Additional Schools

Monday, November 9, 2009

10:30 a.m.

Lewis R. Slaton Courthouse

Courtroom 8-H

185 Central Avenue

(Rear Entrance)

Atlanta, Ga. 30303

What is Teen Court?

Teen Court is an intervention program designed to serve as an alternative to school suspensions. The program is aimed at students who commit offenses within the school such as fighting, bullying and classroom disruptions. The “defendants” or respondents will have their cases heard in specially-designed student courtrooms and receive sanctions from a teen jury. Student volunteers are trained to act as lawyers, clerks, bailiffs and jurors. The Office of the Fulton County District Attorney began its Teen Court program in November of 2008 at Kennedy Middle School in Atlanta. The program has expanded to include B.E.S.T Academy and South Atlanta High School.

How Does Teen Court Work?

Students are referred to Teen Court by administrators and teachers. Once the Teen Court staff receives the referral, an interview is scheduled with the student and their guardian to discuss the process and details of the case which is then presented to the volunteer teen lawyers. Attorneys from the Fulton County District Attorney’s Office volunteer time to act as judges. Respondents are questioned by both the teen defense and prosecution attorneys to determine the circumstances of the offense. Sanctions can include, but are not limited to, writing an apology letter, essays, community service or attending educational classes. If the student successfully completes the sanction from the jury, no further action on that offense will be taken by the school.

Why Teen Court?

Using peers to hold students accountable for their actions often reduces the likelihood of them repeating the same or similar offenses. The sanctions also allow student “defendants” to examine their actions and the effect their behavior has had on themselves, their school, families, and communities.

*** Media interested in covering the event please complete and return the attached Rule 22 to Don Plummer, Superior Court PIO

404-332-0480 (e-fax)***

Media Contact: Yvette Brown, 404-224-0560/404-392-8867, yvette.brown@fultoncountyga.gov