Seems she is not a bleeding heart. Hope not anyhow, as I believe bad kids should be removed from schools and society.
As one of the researchers assisting the State Bar of Georgia's Young Lawyers Division, I'm proud to have seen the completion of our juvenile code rewrite project with the release last week of a model juvenile code.
It also was gratifying to have the Morris News Service report on YLD's accomplishment in The Augusta Chronicle's March 16 edition, but I'm afraid that a quote reflecting my personal beliefs was used to misrepresent my intended point, the intentions and spirit of the juvenile code rewrite project and the ongoing efforts of the JUSTGeorgia coalition to build public support for reform.
The proposed model juvenile code answers a need expressed by all concerned stakeholders in the juvenile justice system for reform that was confirmed by a 2005 joint resolution (S.R. 161) in the Georgia General Assembly. The resulting document is one based on current research and data into physical and social development of children, best practices of other states, practical experience from throughout the state's juvenile justice system and scholarly expert input.
The proposed model juvenile code is devoid of political intentions. It is purely intended to address pragmatic reform of Georgia's laws that can provide better outcomes for all children and increase community safety. It, in fact, provides for incarceration of children -- even substantial incarceration -- in the juvenile justice system when appropriate.
The JUSTGeorgia coalition is now responsible for inviting close scrutiny of the document and accepting input from all vested stakeholders and the public, taking great care to hear and acknowledge all viewpoints before moving forward with proposed legislation.
It is my hope that an evidence-based approach to legal reform -- letting people see what does and doesn't work -- will outweigh any ideological opposition toward our vested interest in fostering safer communities by keeping kids out of trouble and out of the courts.
Velma Tilley, Cartersville
(The writer is a juvenile court judge for Bartow County.)
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