“Courts in Schools” A powerful experience to help guide students on the right track…
Written by admin, Mar 25, 2014, Comments Off
Courtesy Carmen Rendon,
(Laredo, Tx)-The students of LBJ High School got a first-hand look on how a judicial court hearing is conducted. The honorable Judge Rebecca Palomo of the 341st District court presided over four drug related cases. Students listened attentively as cases were reviewed and sentencing was announced for defendants. Known asCourts in Schools, this in-school court program teaches students about possible consequences of negative life choices and gives secondary level students an opportunity to see how laws are applied to determine outcomes in drug related cases.
“Having a real court hearing in our school, allows us to understand how the judicial system works,” said Oscar Garcia, Chief Senior of Elite Enforcers.
LBJ High School Students from the Criminal Justice Elite Enforcers Team where on hand to assist the school and court officers with court presiding. The Elite Enforcers team consists of 12 members under the direction of Social Studies teacher Randy Spring. During the day students are enrolled in criminal justice classes and, in the evening they meet as a club to train in “Seal Modified” program.
Approximately four years ago, the honorable Judge Oscar J. Hale, Jr. envisioned transforming local high school auditoriums and gymnasiums into courtrooms complete with judges, lawyers, court reporters, bailiffs, and defendants. This vision soon became a welcome reality specifically developed to serve as an early intervention for local teens that may be at risk of developing a drug addiction. This school year, the honorable Judge Rebecca Palomo of the 341st District Court joined efforts with Judge Hale’s Courts-in-Schools program to help guide students back on the right track.
