DISTRICT ATTORNEY UNVEILS NEW TEEN COURT

Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for Inaugural Program Friday

Friday, November 14, 2008

1:00 p.m.

Kennedy Middle School

Courtroom

225 Griffin Street

Atlanta, Ga. 30314

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 a specially designed student courtroom and receive sanctions from a teen jury. Student volunteers are trained to act as lawyers, clerks, bailiffs and jurors. The Fulton County District Attorney’s Teen Court is the first middle school program of its type in the state.

Why Teen Court?

Middle school students often identify peer pressure as a contributing factor to committing an offense. 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 it has on themselves, their school, families, and community. The Fulton County District Attorney’s Office has specifically partnered with Kennedy Middle School in an effort to significantly impact its suspension problem. In the 2007-2008 school year, one-third of Kennedy Middle School’s students were suspended for various offenses and behaviors. The D-A’s office hopes to expand the program into other schools in the coming years.

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.

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