When the American Bar Association meets in Atlanta the hot topics will include restorative justice and alternatives to detention for kids. The Midyear meeting runs February 9 – 14 at the Marriott Marquis.
One event takes place at Frank McClarin High School in College Park, where judges and lawyers will talk to 300 high school students about fair and impartial courts. They’ll use the assault charge against MTV’s Teen Mom to launch the discussion.
Sharon Hill of Georgia Appleseed and Judge Steve Teske from Clayton County Juvenile Court will talk about new initiatives to keep kids in school and out of court.
The ABA will consider two resolutions related to at-risk kids. The first calls for creating youth courts to use restorative justice techniques. The second urges courts to use home monitoring in place of incarceration.
Lawyers from the across the country will also be talking about perceptions of the justice system in minority communities, the loss of African-American land through heir property rights and the disproportionate impact of foreclosures on minorities. They will preview Robert Redford’s new movie, “The Conspirator,” based on the true story of a woman accused of conspiring to assassinate President Abraham Lincoln.
Click here to register and get more info, and check out the new calendar listings on our home page at JJIE.org.