HomeMy WebLinkAboutTCA 2014-02-27 Minutes Thursday, February 27, 2014
Present: Diana Goodwin, Bethany Grohman, Ron Moore, Heather Hollingsworth, Karen Russell, David
DeBusk, Rebecca Vinson, Maegan Norris, Lisa Daugherty, and Gene Lambright
Absent:Janet Golightly and Dylan Barth
• Meeting called to order at 6:24p
• Approval of 4/25/13 Board Meeting Minutes—all approved, as written
Review and Consider Additional Conditions added by Teen Court judges
Teen Court judges have questioned whether they could require additional conditions, such as drug
testing.
Judge Bass says he will approve additional conditions, such as drug testing, if requested
The $40 cost of the drug test could be in lieu of some of their community service hours
Volunteers would need to let Heather and the Teen Court Judge know if they see a need for a drug test
There was some discussion on how to handle youth who can't afford the $40 for a drug test
All Board members agreed that youth would be given community service hour credit for the $40 spent
on the drug test. The cost of a drug test= 3 hours.
Discuss and Consider revision to dress code
This teen court still has the strictest dress code—for both parents and youth
Do we need to relax the dress code for parents? Our original thought was that they should role model
for the youth, and also show that Teen Court is serious.
The Board members decided that the parent dress code will remain the same, but the Coordinator can
decide whether or not they are dressed appropriate enough to come into court.
Judge McGinty is seeing a large number of tights/leggings worn with short shirts.
The Board members decided that tights/leggings will be allowed if the body is fully covered by the top.
The Coordinator will decide appropriateness for court on an individual basis.
Update on Teen Court—addition of Richland Hills and Attorney training
we are now a quad-city teen court - North Richland Hills, Richland Hills, Watauga, and Haltom City
each city has added a judge, and a Board member
7Russ -Chairperson:
9,4ana Goodwin -Secretary
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we have had 2 or 3 attorney trainings, but we need to continually recruit in order to maintain a teen
attorney pool. We have been actively advertising for teen attorneys.
We have a full-time Teen Court clerk position—Justy Lambright
We need a Teen Board member. Dylan graduates this year.
There was some discussion on how to recruit a Teen Board member.
At this time we are not in need of adult volunteers
Discuss and Consider changes to Teen Attorney requirements
Should we allow youth with open cases in teen court to be an attorney?
We are losing some good candidates because we are making them wait until their cases are closed
The Board members voted to allow defendants to become Teen Court attorneys as long as they have
completed 2 jury duties and meet all of the other requirements. Discretion will be given to the
Coordinator.
Discuss and Consider youth PSA contest
It was suggested that we put out a contest for Municipal Court Public Service Announcements to
teenagers.The PSA's would cover such topics as Alcohol use, drug use, and truancy.The Board, or sub-
committee, would vote on the best PSA, and it would be shown in Municipal Court. The PSA that won
would receive some type of prize.
Would the Board agree to use of scholarship money for the prize?
There could be an entrance fee for each submitted PSA.
The Board members all approved participation in a PSA contest, and use of scholarship funds.
Details of contest to be determined at a later date.
Review and Approval of Scholarship process and timeline for 2014
All Board members decided that essay topics, the timeline, and the point system are good.
We would like to have all youth interviews completed by 5/8/14
Meeting adjourned at 7:44p
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