Event to discuss rules in charging juveniles as adults

Monday, November 2, 2009
© Copyright 2013 Gwinnett Daily Post

LILBURN -- New Mercies Christian Church and the Gwinnett County Minority Bar Association are teaming up to host a community event at the church Wednesday night.

The project, called "Real Talk," is intended to educate students, parents and the public about "current law and procedures that relate to charging youth as adults for specific crimes," said Tuwanda Williams, senior assistant county attorney.

"The purpose of Real Talk is to address concerns about the growing number of youths, some with no prior criminal history, charged with serious crimes that can result, upon conviction, in significant prison terms," she said.

The panel of experts will consist of Gwinnett County Superior Court and Magistrate Court judges, defense attorneys, an assistant district attorney, two Gwinnett police officers and an adolescent psychologist.

The panel members will analyze and discuss skits and scenarios presented depicting young people engaged in "certain behavior," Williams said.

Most recently in Gwinnett, two 14-year-old boys, Brandon Ennis and Michael White, were charged as adults in connection with the June 11 shooting death of a Duluth man.

District Attorney Danny Porter debated whether to continue to prosecute the pair as adults before deciding earlier this month that he would.

New Mercies Christian Church is at 4000 Five Forks Trickum Road in Lilburn, and the presentation is scheduled from 7 to 8:30 p.m.

Real Talk is free and open to the public, which will be invited to ask questions of the panelists.

Gwinnett Daily Post