HomeMy WebLinkAboutTCA 2003-03-24 Minutes City of North Richland Hills
Teen Court Advisory Board Meeting
MARCH 24, 2003
ATTENDANCE
Present: BOARD:
Ronald Moore - Chairman
Janet Golightly- Board Member
Steven Cooper- Board Member
Cheri Walker- Board Member
Cindy Ward- Board Member
Absent: Luci Wolfe
Present: STAFF:
Debbie Durko- Court Administrator
Lisa Daugherty- Asst. Court Administrator
Rebecca Vinson- Teen Court Coordinator
ITEM I.
CALL TO ORDER
Mr. Moore called the meeting to order March 24, 2003 at 6:12 pm.
ITEM II.
APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES
APPROVED
MOTION:
Ms. Ward made a motion, seconded by Ms. Golightly, to approve the July 22, 2002 minutes.
Motion to approve carried 5-0.
ITEM III.
REVIEW & APPROVE TEEN COURT PROCESS AND FORM CHANGES
The board discussed making changes to the Teen Court Process to include:
• The Bailiff will be responsible for filling out the information on the front of Trial Form to include,
parent information, and to insure that the defendant does not have any objections to the jury.
• Release the Trial Form to the Bailiff who will then escort the defendant and parent to the outtake
clerk.
• The Foreperson will be given the duty of asking the defendant to explain the circumstances
surrounding the violation.
The board discussed making changes to the following Teen Court Forms:
• Update Bailiff instructions to reflect new changes
• On the Jury Process form change "Most important facts considered in reaching a verdict were" to
"Most important facts to consider in reaching a sentence are".
ITEM IV.
DISCUSS DRESS CODE
The boaxd discussed and made an addition to the current dress code. Steven Cooper made a motion to
include "No Jeans" as part of the Teen Court Dress Code and motion was seconded by Cindy Ward.
Motion to approve carried 5-0.
ITEM V.
UPDATE BOARD ON SECURITY ISSUES
Rebecca updated the board on the new security screening tools that will be implemented in the near
future.
• Walk through metal detector.
• Handheld wands
ITEM VI.
UPDATE BOARD ON PLACEMENT AGENCIES
At 6:55 pm Debbie and Rebecca left briefly to receive award from City Council. Lisa updated board on
new placement agencies such as Battered Women's Foundation and Boys and Girls Club.
ITEM VII.
ADVISORY BOARD OPENINGS
Lisa advised the board that we have Place 1(student placement) vacant and members suggested that they
would speak to council about appointing teen representative to the Teen Court Advisory Board.
ITEM VIII.
DISCUSS SCHOLARSHIPS FOR 2003
Debbie and Rebecca returned at 7:35 pm. The Board was informed that Tanya Chantara, the Teen Courts
only graduating senior this year did not apply. Tanya had a very busy senior year and stopped attending
Teen Court Sessions as of January 2003. The Board requested that Rebecca check in to rolling the money
over to next year's budget in order to provide the growing number of teen volunteers who will be
graduating 2004 with a scholarship opportunity.
ITEM IX.
DISCUSS DISCIPLINE GUIDELINES
The board discussed different alternative methods to add to the discipline guidelines such as:
• The Teen Court Judge will order that all testimony provided to Teen Court Jury by the defendant
will be factual. The Judge can issue certain requirements of the defendant if the defendant is found to
be presenting false testimony at his/her trial. The Judge may require additional community service
hours be added to the final sentencing.
• Rebecca presented the possibility of requiring the defendants as part of sentencing to write apology
letters to victims of the defendant's action. After a lengthy discussion the Board tabled and requested
Rebecca to contact local Teen Courts to inquire if they are currently using alternative sentencing for
their program.
The board discussed the actions of a Teen Court Volunteer Attorney. The board advised that the
volunteer is vocalizing personal opinion during sessions regaxding the legalization of Marijuana and
making disrespectful comments about police officers. The board suggested that Rebecca speak with the
teen volunteer about his actions as a first step of discipline.
ITEM X.
DISCUSS SUMMER FIELD TRIPS
Rebecca spoke to the Board about possible field trips such as:
• A Cat's baseball game
• Dinner at Medieval Times
ITEM XI.
ADJOURNMENT
Steven Cooper made a motion; seconded by Janet Golightly to adjourn the meeting at 8:41 pm.
Motion to approve carried 5-0.
Ronald Moore, Chairman
ATTEST:
Advisory Board Secretary