1991-09-30CITY OF SOUTHLAKE
667 N. Carroll Avenue
TEEN COURT ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING
September 30, 1991 6:00 p.m.
MINUTES
COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT: Buddy Luce, Chauncey Willingham, Sally
Hall, Cathy Turner, Jason Weddel, Megan Hartman, Christen
Gystafson, Janine Bernasek, Mike Bedrick, and Ralph Hopkins.
COMMITTEE MEMBERS ABSENT: Brad Bradley and Jon Michael Franks.
The Regular meeting of the Teen Court Advisory Committee meeting
was called to order at 6:15 p.m.
Item #1. Selection of Officers for Teen Court Advisory Committee
Sally Hall suggested that the Board choose a chairperson to lead
the meetings and a secretary to record the minutes of the
meetings. Buddy Luce was selected as chairperson and Janine
Bernasek as vice-chairperson/treasurer. Sally Hall was chosen as
secretary. Ralph Hopkins was selected as the coordinator for the
group.
Item #2, Draft of Teen Court Philosoph
Officer Mike Bedrick presented the first draft of the Teen Court
Philosophy, noting that Teen Court is a volunteer program which
allows juvenile misdemeanor offenders an alternative to the
criminal justice system while allowing them to assume
responsibility for their own actions by involvements in the
judicial process and community services in order that their
offenses will not be recorded. Bringing juvenile offenders to a
jury of their peers and to the Community for constructive
punishment will provide the youths with an understanding of the
judicial system and a realization of their roles in the community.
Other items addressed by Bedrick include: Goals, Community
Involvement; Eligibility of Defendants; Overview of Teen Court
Process; Responsibilities of Participants; Teen Volunteers;
Prosecuting/Defense Counsel; Terms of Office, Rules of Court;
Discipline Guide, and, Implementation and Expected cost of
implementation.
Item #3, City of Arlington, Teen Court Observed
The Teen Advisors reported on their trip to the City of Arlington's
Teen Court. They shard some valuable information regarding the
court system, including:
Teen Court Advisory Committee Meeting
September 30, 1991
page two
1) The Judge at Arlington Teen Court asked the jury if they knew
the defendant. Our Teen Advisors attending the court felt the City
of Arlington was so large that the likelihood of the jury knowing
the defendant was minimal, however, in Southlake, since we are a
small community, this might present a problem.
After discussion with all Board members present, it was suggested
by Buddy Luce that Southlake adopt a procedure whereby the
attorneys and defendant could strike up to three (3) jury members
of a six (6) member jury if they felt jury knowledge of the
defendant might bias the court case.
2) Another concern of the Teen advisors was the training of the
Teen Court Lawyers. They suggested that the Teen Lawyers be High
School Juniors or Seniors. Also that we have at least three (3)
Teen Lawyers, and that we should send the Teen Lawyers for training
to the City of Arlington, or City of North Richland Hills.
Buddy Luce indicated that Nancy Kirkland, Teen Court Coordinator
from North Richland Hills has offered to assist Southlake in our
start-up of the program. Mrs. Kirkland indicated that we should
just start our Teen Court, expect a few mistakes initially, and
correct those problems as we go along. She also suggested we might
evolve to a "share -a -court" situation involving other communities
in our area. She did state that she would assist Southlake. The
North Richland Hills Court meets the 3rd Monday of the month. We
are welcome to send observers, however, she would like for us to
call ahead with the number who will be attending. Phone number:
281-3743.
Item #4, Establishinq Time and Days for Teen Court Meetinqs
The issue of meeting days, time, and location for meetings was
discussed. The board selected Monday as the meeting day, however,
the exact Monday of each month was not decided. It was also
decided that the meetings will be held at City Hall, possibly
changing locations when the new building at the park is in place
and ready for occupancy.
Item #5, Community Service Hours
Community service hours were discussed. Officer Mike Bedrick
stated he felt the reduction of some of the community service hours
should take place, as it would be impossible to serve that length
of time. He also suggested omitting possession of marijuana under
2 ozs., and evading the police offense from the Teen Court docket.
He felt these kinds of offenses should be handled in regular
court. The board also discussed the criminal mischief
classification.
Teen Court Advisory Committee Meeting
September 30, 1991
page three
Cathy Turner suggested the fine for damage be from $20. to $200.
and that possibly community service hours issued, should be based
only the the amount of damage caused.
Item #6, Community Service Projects
Sally Hall reported she is gathering community service projects
from the City and the School District. The information will be
passed on to Mr. Hopkins.
Item #7, Teen Lawyers
Buddy Luce discussed how we would get our first group of Teen
Lawyers. It was agreed that the Advisory Board should review the
applications. It was suggested that the applications include a
space for the applicant to write a brief paragraph on why they
wanted to apply for Teen Court Lawyer. Mike Bedrick agreed to
draft the application form.
Item #8, Teen Court Conference
The Board discussed sending from six (6) to eight (8) people to the
Teen Court Conference in Bedford. To be held on November 7 & 8.
Mr. Bedrick stated he could fund four (4) attendees from the City
budget. Mrs. Hall stated she could get donations for the other
four (4) attendees. Cost of the conference is $40. per person.
Item #9, Newspaper Coverage for Teen Court
Chauncey Willingham suggested we start to get information out to
various newspapers in the area. Megan Hartman volunteered to write
the articles.
Item #10, Teen Court Logo
Cathy Turner passed out Logo Designs which she and Sally Hall had
worked on over the past couple of weeks. The Teen Advisors
narrowed the selections down to two designs. Janine Bernasek
agreed to work on the logos and present them at the next board
meeting.
Item #11, Teen Court presentation before Carroll P.T.O.
Mike Bedrick reported that the group is to make a fifteen (15)
minute presentation before the P.T.O. during their November
meeting. Mr. Willingham, Jason, Megan, Christine, and Janice will
present the skit from the group.
Teen Court Advisory Committee Meeting
September 30, 1991
page four
Item #12, Adjournment
The next board meeting will be held on October 14, 1991, 6:00 p.m.,
in the conference room at city hall. The meeting was adjourned.
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Sally 11
Secretary/Teen Court Advisory Committee
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