HomeMy WebLinkAboutTCA 2011-11-03 Minutes -
CITY OF NORTH RICHLAND HILLS
TEEN COURT ADVISORY BOARD MEETING
NORTH RICHLAND HILLS MUNICIPAL COURT
MAIN COURTROOM
6720 NORTHEAST LOOP 820
NORTH RICHLAND HILLS,TX
Thursday, November 3,2011
In attendance: David Debusk, Heather Hollingsworth, Rebecca Vinson, Ron Moore,Janet Golightly,
Karen Russell, Diana Goodwin, Dylan Barth, Bethany Grohman, and Paula Janis.
1. Meeting called to order at 6:30pm
2. 4/25/11 Board meeting minutes were approved with a unanimous vote
3. Nomination and election of the Secretary position—Diana Goodwin was nominated as
temporary secretary. Permanent election of this position will occur at the next Board meeting.
4. Monitor training—Court keeps yellow copy; Defendant keeps white copy along with defendant
packet; if defendant has additional hours given on another case,then those hours will be
written in and should be added together with the hours from case being heard;the monitor is
not to give the defendant the yellow copy or citation
5. Dress code—Heather provided the dress codes from some other cities.They are all different.
The main concern is that we have not been consistent in enforcing the dress code.There was
some discussion on whether or not our dress code was too strict.
All members agreed that teen attorneys should be held to a higher standard.There was some
discussion on whether or not requiring a jacket was a little extreme. Maybe a jacket, but no tie.
Or maybe a tie, but no jacket.
All members agreed that jurors should be held to a higher standard as well.Teens need to show
respect for the court, and a higher standard of dress is part of this.Jurors will be given the dress
code in advance of court, and they will be expected to follow it. If they do not,they will go
before the judge who will make the final decision on whether or not their clothing is
appropriate.
d2(0 P4A ckw-
Karen Russell iChairp
IAA Lrsdh
` 0
Diana Goodwin - Temp Appointed Secretary
A basic dress code was decided by board members,to go in effect 1/1/12.
• No hats
• No jeans
• No shorts
• No t-shirts
• No revealing clothing
• No sagging
• Skirts must be an appropriate length
• No facial piercings
• no spaghetti straps
• no visible undergarments
• no athletic clothing
6. Discipline Grid—Heather reviewed the maxim urn number of community service hours given by
other cities, and found the maximum to be 80. North Richland Hills' maximum is 125.The board
members all seem to agree that 125 was appropriate for the offenses listed.
There was discussion of cell phone use in a school zone. It is a class 4, and members agreed that
it should remain a class 4. Board voted and approved moving No Driver's License from class 4 to
class 5.
There was discussion of speeding in a school zone.Speeding 1-10 in a school zone is a class 3.
Board members all agreed that it should be a class 4. By unanimous vote members decided that
speeding in a school zone 1-15 would be a class 4 effective 1/1/12.
The youth board member brought up the class 4 offense of having more than one passenger in
the vehicle. He thought is should be a class 3 instead of class 4.The adult board members all
disagreed, but heard him out on the subject.
The discipline grid will continue to be reviewed,and will be on the agenda at the next board
meeting.
7. The last 3 items on the agenda were tabled until the next board meeting:
• Discuss and consider Teen Attorney Requirements and Training
• Discuss and consider Plea Bargain process
• Discuss and consider Sentencing re-set options
8. Adjourn at 8:OOp
P 0-o-h