1992-08-31 ammendedCity of Southlake, Texas
CITY OF SOUTHLAKE
667 N. Carroll Avenue
REGULAR TEEN COURT ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING
August 31, 1992 6:00 p.m.
MINUTES
MEMBERS PRESENT: Buddy
Luce, Chairman;
Janine
Bernasek,
Vice -Chairman; Sally Hall,
Secretary; Brad
Bradley,
Judge; Jon
Michael Franks, Council
Representative;
Ralph
Hopkins,
Coordinator. Members:
Cathy Turner, Jason
Weddel,
Kay Held,
Dottie Morris.
MEMBERS ABSENT: Mike Bedrick and Christen Gustafson.
The Meeting was called to order at 6:05 p.m., by Buddy Luce,
Chairman.
Agenda Item #2, Approval of the Minutes
The Minutes of the Regular Teen Court Advisory Committee meeting
held on August 10, 1992, were approved as presented.
A discussion was held in regard to items which appeared
in the Minutes of the August 10, 1992, Teen Court
meeting, including the inclusion of the Dare Officer
or a Representative of Public Safety, and a
Representative of Municipal Court being on the Teen
Count Advisory Board. It was felt by Buddy Luce and
Jon Michael Franks that these additions were not
necessary. Three reasons were stated: 1) hiring of
Teen Court Coordinator would provide better
communications with Court Clerk; 2) that inclusion
of Public Safety Officer on the Board would be a conflict
of interest; and, 3) that a change of board members and
make-up of the Advisory Committee would require a vote
of the City Council prior to the change.
It was noted at this time that the Board has already adjusted the
number of representatives on the Teen Board, to increase Teen
Representation, without Council approval. If this is to be valid,
a Resolution reflecting the changes should be presented to City
Council. Although this item was listed on the agenda for later
discussion during the meeting, it was essentially decided during
review of the minutes, not to include Public Safety or Court Clerk
on the official voting board. Their attendance in a supportive role
would be encouraged, and that a resolution indicating the Teen
Representative increase would be prepared by the chairman for
approval of the City Council.
Teen Court Advisory Committee Meeting
August 31, 1992
page two
Aqenda Item U , Administrative Comments
Janine Bernasek, vice-chairman explained why the Teen Court
Advisory Committee went ahead with the August 10, 1992 meeting,
even though the chairman requested a cancellation of the meeting.
Due to school beginning, forms needed to be prepared, including:
teen court applicants for board members, lawyers and jury, and,
preparation needed to take place in regard to having a table at
school registration, promoting Teen Court.
Sally Hall, Dottie Morris and Jason Weddel attended the City
Council work session on August 11, 1992, and made a presentation
in support of a Teen Court Coordinator.
Dottie Morris provided an hourly summary to the board on the
activity which has taken place, adding, a summary will be provided
to the Board at each meeting, as both the City Council and the
Carroll Independent School Board have requested such an update on
the progress. Mrs. Morris also reported on the success in
promoting the Teen Court at the High School registration. Mrs. Ki
Reinmiller, Carroll High School, went the extra mile in helping the
committee prepare packets of information promoting the Teen Court.
Thank also to Murray Printing in Southlake who donated 1,000 flyers
for Teen Court. It was noted that the secretary needs to send a
thank you letter to each of those mentioned above for their
support.
The newly appointed Teen Court Representative from the Carroll
I.S.D., Kay Held was present tonight and introduced to the
committee.
Cathy Turner led the discussion in regard to the need to have a
Board member present in the jury room due to verdict bias. It was
decided that we would not do this due to the Code of Criminal
Procedure guidelines, and the fact that court does not allow this.
It was determined that the group would go back to the idea of
providing written guidelines for jury and that the newly hired
coordinator will oversee the jury operation and instructions on
seating to prevent bias and additional Teen Lawyer training. It
was noted jury screening prior to seating should alleviate any
problems. Cathy Turner, Ralph Hopkins, Dottie Morris, Jon Michael
Franks and Buddy Luce provided the above comments regarding the
Teen Jury.
A discussion was held in regard to Teen Court expenditures. It was
agreed by those present that expenditures need to be followed
closely, due to the fact that the coordinator is funded by both the
school and city.
Teen Court Advisory Committee Meeting
August 31, 1992
page three
enda Item #3, Continued
A discussion was held in regard to the number of nights the Teen
Court will need to be in session. It was the opinion of Ralph
Hopkins and Brad Bradley that six (6) cases a night would be
maximum. Allowing for the Court session to be a minimum of one (1)
hour to two (2) hours. If Teen Court workload increases, we may
need to schedule an extra night. A discussion was held in regard
to who could request the Teen Court option. It was agreed all
Southlake Teens and Teens in the Carroll I.S.D. who reside in
Grapevine are eligible.
A discussion was held concerning the Community Service Hours, and
the Teen Court Coordinators Mrs. Morris and Mr. Hopkins. It was
agreed the burden needed to be switched to the Teen to complete
their community service hours, as the result of their Teen Court
participation. It was decided if the Teen did not complete the
required hours in a reasonable length of time, they would be
referred back to Regular Court. It was felt five (5) hours a week
was a reasonable guideline for expecting completion of community
service hours. A "rule" is needed to be established in regard to
completion of community service in the required time frame, as
noted above.
Aqenda Item #4, Teen Court Coordinator
Sally Hall presented a copy of the North Richland Hills Contract
for Teen Court Coordinator, for use as a guideline. It was noted
that Buddy Luce, Brad Bradley and Jon Michael Franks will work
together in drawing up such an contract, and reviewing as experts
and representatives of the funding organizations (City and
C.I.S.D.). Also, Sally Hall submitted City guidelines used on job
applications when the city hires employees. The Board agreed to
follow that format. Mrs. Hall will prepare guidelines for the
board when the selection process has started. It was also agreed
that readvertisement for Teen Court Coordinator is needed. Hall
will submit the information to the City for placement of the ad.
When the information is completed, Jon Michael Franks will review
the document with the City Manager.
Agenda Item #6, Selection of Teen Court Advisory Board
This item was not acted upon, due to the fact that more applicants
are needed, and also, the sophomore class has been included in the
application procedure. This item is to be placed on the September
21, 1992, Agenda. Dottie Morris and Kay Held will get the
information out to the High School via additional flyers for CISD
High School Student Packets.
Teen Court Advisory Committee Meeting
August 31, 1992
page four
Agenda Item #7, Reviewing Applications for Teen Court Lawyers.
It was decided we have enough lawyers to get the program started,
however, we need more lawyers. Janine Bernasek and Jason Weddel
agreed they would carry the lawyer aspect of Teen Court until they
can get a new group trained. Mr. Luce feels we have enough
teaching information and videos to provide in-house training of our
lawyers. Ms. Held brought up a possible program, where C.I.S.D.
could have a mock court/debate competition for the High School. The
Board needs to follow-up on the possible program implementation
through the Teen Court Coordinator this year. It was agreed, this
is an excellent program and natural extension of Teen Court into
the C.I.S.D. curriculum.
enda Item #8, Adjournment
Prior to Adjournment, Brad Bradley submitted information
on this years Teen Court Convention. The information
will be included with the next meeting packet.
Judge Bradley also mentioned he will be looking into
rotating the Teen Court Judge. He will get other
community lawyers to volunteer as Teen Court Judge and
set up a rotation program. As in real court proceedings,
the same judge does not hear all cases and this will be
good for our lawyer training program.
It was noted that the tape recording of this meeting
failed, therefore, the minutes were prepared from memory
of the Board Secretary.
The meeting was adjourned by Buddy Luce, chairman.
Respectfully submitted,
Sally Hall
Secretary
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